Charities Shun Jackson

Charities and organisations that have benefited from Michael Jackson's generosity are seeking to distance themselves from him following charges against the singer of child molestation.

Last week the singer's name was covered over at his former Los Angeles school, to which he gave money for a new auditorium. Parents said that association with the singer would bring "unwarranted attention". Jackson has featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the single biggest charity donor in the pop music business. He has been involved in many children's charities and met the 13-year-old boy at the centre of the current allegations while visiting a children's hospital.

The pop star was also due to help his home town of Gary, Indiana, establish a Michael Jackson performing arts centre. Now the plans appear stalled with Jackson too involved in preparing his defence to take part in fundraising for the centre.

The singer's supporters have been leaking information about the family of the boy concerned, suggesting his mother has involved her son in other civil law suits.

Jackson is already suing the private jet company on which he and his lawyer flew to Santa Barbara to surrender. The two had been secretly videotaped and attempts were made to sell the footage. The FBI is looking into the incident.