Granada pledge on unseen Michael Jackson footage

Unseen out-takes from the filming of Granada’s documentary about Michael Jackson are to be kept under lock and key until the British High Court has ruled on a bid by the star to obtain possession of them.

At a scene-setting hearing in London today, Granada gave temporary undertakings to keep the unused footage in secure conditions under the control of its head of compliance at its South Bank headquarters.

The company also pledged not to exploit the out-takes or release the TV programme on video or DVD – which Jackson says would be a breach of the production agreement.

The undertakings are effective until a full hearing of the dispute in April.