Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine has said he is sure the pop star was "1,000 per cent" innocent following the release of a new documentary detailing alleged sexual abuse.
Jermaine Jackson wiped away tears as he discussed Leaving Neverland, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last week, begging "leave him alone".
The documentary features the accounts of Wade Robson and James Safechuck who accuse the star of sexually abusing them as boys.
Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Jermaine said: “I wanted to come on because I’ve always jumped to my brother’s defence when he was living and now.
“He was tried with all of these things… they had to sling him through the mud and he was cleared of all of this, so it’s nonsense.
“We’re living in a time when people can say anything and it’s taken as the truth.
“They would rather believe a documentary than looking at what was said under oath and from the judge, jury, everything.”
“We lost Michael, we lost our father, we’re still mourning, we lost a lot,” he added.
“Just leave us alone, leave him alone, let him rest please, he deserves to rest.”
Jackson’s family has previously said he was subjected to a thorough investigation including a surprise raid of his home, the Neverland Ranch, but was still acquitted at his criminal trial in 2005, in a case involving another young man.
Mr Robson testified at that trial, saying he had slept in Jackson's room many times but that Jackson had never molested him. Mr Safechuck made similar statements to investigators as a boy.
Jackon died in 2009 and in 2013 both men filed lawsuits saying stress and trauma had forced them to face the truth and admit they were sexually abused.
Jermaine accused Mr Robson of "spewing nonsense", reiterating that those law suits were thrown out of court and adding that he only agreed to do the documentary after failing to get a book deal.
The film's director Dan Reed has said he has no doubts about the men's validity.
