Nicole Richie 'Stopping Benji Madden Moving On From Paris Hilton' 11/28/08

Paris Hilton's best pal Nicole Richie is so upset by the socialite's split from Benji Madden, she's preventing him from meeting any potential new girlfriends.

The hotel heiress confirmed her break-up from Good Charlotte rocker Madden on 21 November (08), when she admitted the couple was "taking a break" after nine months together.

According to Madden's twin and bandmate Joel - who is also Richie's fiancé - Benji has been coping well with the split. But the same can't be said for Richie, who is reportedly doing her best to keep her future brother-in-law single until he can be reunited with Hilton.

A source, who attended a recent launch party for Good Charlotte's new Greatest Remixes album, tells the New York Post's PageSix, "(Richie) has been really possessive and stops him from talking to other girls.

Benji was approached by dozens of ladies. Girls were trying to flirt with him... but Nicole kept getting in the way. "(Richie) stopped every girl trying to take a photo of him (and) dragged him by the arm (away from the girls)."