Jackson: Now Bashir faces court action
The nightmare is over for Michael Jackson but may be just beginning for British journalist Martin Bashir, now facing a High Court legal action over his pivotal documentary.
Jackson sued Bashir and Granada for alleged breach of contract after Living With Michael Jackson was broadcast on ITV1 in February 2003.
The documentary, in which Jackson admitted sharing his bed with young boys, sparked the criminal investigation which led to the star’s 16-week trial on child sex abuse charges.
Jackson was said to be incensed with Bashir, having given him unrivalled access to his private life in order to help resurrect his career and rebuild his image.
The singer’s acquittal paves the way for his lawyers to turn their attentions back to Bashir and reopen proceedings that were put on hold pending the end of the trial.
An ITV spokesman said they were waiting to hear from Jackson’s lawyers.
“Michael Jackson issued widely publicised proceedings against Granada in 2003 alleging breach of contract and making copyright complaints which we vigorously defended,” he said.
“We are absolutely still standing by that stance and the contents of the documentary.”
Granada held confidential discussions with Jackson’s lawyers in 2003 but the spokesman said no payment or damages were offered and no liability was accepted before the talks were suspended.
Meanwhile, Bashir also faces potential contempt of court proceedings in the US after giving evidence at the beginning of Jackson’s trial.
When he refused to answer a series of questions, Jackson’s lawyer Tom Mesereau asked Judge Rodney Melville to find him in contempt of court. Bashir invoked California’s shield law which protects journalists from having to disclose their sources and Judge Melville said he would decide whether to instigate proceedings at the end of the trial.
Another member of Jackson’s legal team, Robert Sanger, said the decision was solely up to the judge.
“We have no ill will towards anyone at this stage,” he said. “We just want Michael to be able to get on with his life.”
A spokesman at ABC News, where Bashir is now employed, said he would not be giving any interviews.
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