BASHIR UNDER FIRE
Michael Jackson family blast Martin Bashir for ‘hoodwinking’ popstar and using ‘manipulated’ footage for documentary
MICHAEL Jackson's family has blasted Martin Bashir for allegedly hoodwinking the music star and using "manipulated" footage for a notorious documentary.
The claims come after the shamed BBC journalist was revealed to have used unethical and illegal methods to land a bombshell interview with Princess Diana.
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Michael's brother Tito told the : “Both Michael and Diana were victims of Bashir’s dark ambitions and dirty tricks and he is finally paying a price.”
Tito's son Taj also hit out as former Jacko minder Matt Fiddes said the legendary singer’s relatives may even sue Bashir over the 2003 documentary.
Taj wrote online: “Bashir’s manipulated footage and unethical journalism is one of the main reasons my uncle is not here today. That trial broke him.
"Shame on those who provided cover for Bashir. Shame on those who rewarded him. My family deserve an investigation and apology too.”
Dad Tito said: “Bashir created a fake narrative about my brother, which becomes crystal clear when you view the out-takes Bashir kept secret.
"He used Michael’s trust and friendship with Diana to get the interview, manipulated Michael throughout the interview, then deceptively edited the footage.”
Brit Matt Fiddes told the Sunday Mirror the Jackson family are now considering their legal position.
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“They believe, ultimately, that Bashir’s portrayal of Michael and lies he spun destroyed his career," he added.
During Living with Michael Jackson, Bashir confronted the late pop star over his relationship with kids and the child abuse allegations made against him.
At one point the singer defended sleeping alongside then 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo at Neverland, telling Bashir: "Why can't you share your bed?
"That's the most loving thing to do, to share your bed with someone."
When pressed, Jackson hit back at suggestions that it was inappropriate to share his bed with someone so young insisting it was a completely innocent act.
However just two years later, Jackson faced allegations that he had sexually abused Arvizo.
Following a trial in 2005, held in Santa Maria, California, the American singer was acquitted by a jury.
However the rumours surrounding Jackson continued even after his death in 2009.
Meanwhile, psychic Uri Geller who introduced Bashir to Jacko said the journalist used his Di connections to hook up with the start.
He claims Bashir produced a letter purportedly from the Princess to gain access to Jackson.
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He said: “I cannot say for sure whether that letter was genuine but it came out of nowhere and it sealed the deal.
“Reading about Bashir’s methods and dishonesty in the Lord Dyson report into his behaviour with Princess Diana at the BBC, I now fear Michael and I were tricked.
“I kick myself every day for letting Michael sit down with Bashir. I always had an uneasy feeling about him, an intuition that he was not honest.
“But the letter was a big moment. Michael loved Diana, and I thought well, if Diana enjoyed the interview so much with Martin that maybe he is the right person to interview Michael.
"Obviously that was a mistake that I will regret to the day I die."
Bashir tonight sparked fury as he hit back at Prince William over the scandalous Diana interview, insisting: “Everything we did . . . she wanted.”
Bashir, 58, who faked documents to get his 1995 scoop for BBC’s Panorama, said he “never wanted to harm” Diana and he “doesn’t believe he did”.
But royal biographer Penny Junor said: “Martin Bashir’s response shows extraordinary arrogance and false confidence. I think he’s shameless.
“I find it extraordinary that Bashir doesn’t at this stage just hold his hands up and say he’s sorry — properly without the ‘buts’.”
Prince William, 38, last week spoke of his “indescribable sadness” over the way his mother had been tricked and deceived by Bashir and failed by the Beeb and its leaders.
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Bashir was giving his first interview since publication of Lord Dyson’s damning inquiry report into the Diana programme.
He told The Sunday Times: “My family and I loved her.”
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And he hit back at Earl Spencer, Diana’s loyal brother who said he “drew a line” between the interview and his sister’s death.
Bashir insisted: “I don’t feel I can be held responsible for many of the other things that were going on in her life.”
Michael Jackson told Martin Bashir that sharing his bed with kids was a ‘beautiful thing’ and critics were 'ignorant'
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