Michael Jackson Says Charge is 'big Lie'

Michael Jackson, his show business friends and his legal team have mounted an aggressive defence against the child molestation charges he faces. The singer has launched a website in which he dismisses the charges involving a 13-year-old boy as "a big lie".

The new site, mjnews.us, is signed by the singer and is addressed to "my fans, friends and family". Jackson acknowledges that the charges are "terribly serious. They are, however, predicated on a big lie. This will be shown in court and we will be able to put this horrible time behind us."

Jackson, 45, goes on to say that he will not be able to comment on every aspect of the case. "On the advice of my attorneys... There will be times when I cannot comment at all. This will be frustrating for all of us. For that reason, I have set up this website to serve as a source of official communications on my case. Any statement that does not appear on this website must be considered unauthorised."

He writes that people are right to be sceptical of the many supposed spokespeople or friends who have emerged on television chat shows in the wake of the allegations.

"With few exceptions, most of them are simply filling a desperate void in our culture that equates visibility with insight," says the website statement. "We will not engage in speculation. We will not provide running commentary on every new development or allegation du jour . We intend to try our case in the courtroom, not in the public or the media. I thank you all for your support. God bless you."

Jackson surrendered to the authorities in Santa Barbara, California, last week on charges of child molestation involving the boy, who had stayed at his Neverland ranch. He was released on $3m (£1.8m) bail.

His lawyers are also mounting a bullish defence. It was reported yesterday that the father of the boy at the centre of the case, who is estranged from the boy's mother, could be called as a defence witness. It also emerged that the boy's family are being represented by the same lawyer who successfully won an out of court settlement from Jackson on behalf of another boy in 1993.

Friends of Jackson and other musicians also spoke on his behalf. Elizabeth Taylor said: "I believe Michael is absolutely innocent and that he will be vindicated." She said she hoped those who had made the claims would have to "eat crow" at the end of the trial.

The singers LL Cool J, P Diddy and Alicia Keys have also called for Jackson to be given a fair trial.

He is believed to be in Las Vegas, finishing a music video. He is due to appear in court in Santa Barbara on January 9.