US: A bid by Michael Jackson to discredit the TV documentary on him by reporter Martin Bashir was being rubbished last night by the programme-makers as "clumsy and expensive" - before it was even unveiled.
Jackson was expected to hit back at child abuse allegations by releasing private video footage of Bashir praising the star's treatment of his children. But the much-anticipated film - promised in a statement earlier yesterday - failed to appear.
No official reason was given for the non-appearance, but programme-makers Granada insisted their reporter had "nothing to hide" and knew he was being filmed.
"Martin Bashir has nothing to hide - he knew he was being filmed by Michael Jackson's aides at various times," a spokesman said.
"The resulting footage has been edited by Michael Jackson's aides, and as yet we've seen nothing of it. All we know of it is that it was being peddled to Sunday newspapers with an asking price of £60,000 (€90,000) and found no takers. This is becoming the most expensive, clumsy and desperate attempt at shooting the messenger we've ever seen."
Jackson, 44, said his video-tape was shot while investigative reporter Bashir was making his damning documentary Living With Michael Jackson, screened in Ireland, Britain and the US last week.