'Jackson in hands of Islamic Black separatists'

The Michael Jackson saga took a new twist today amid reports that a black separatist group was taking over his affairs and keeping him “semi-captive”.

The claims were made as it emerged that Jackson’s official spokesman Stuart Backerman had parted company with the star’s team, citing “strategic differences” over the handling of child abuse allegations against the pop star.

Sources told the New York Times and other American media that the Nation of Islam was handling Jackson’s security arrangements.

The sources claimed that members of the religious group were also organising elements of his media and legal strategy.

The 45-year-old pop star has reportedly moved into a house in Los Angeles, accompanied by Nation of Islam members, after leaving his Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara.

A senior Jackson employee told the New York Times that the Nation of Islam had “taken over completely and are in full and total charge” of the pop star’s affairs.

Another source – an unnamed business associate of Jackson’s – told the newspaper: “These people are basically brainwashing him.

“They offer a false sense that they can control everything. Everyone is scared of them. They pretty much keep Michael semi-captive.”

Another was quoted as saying: “Michael doesn’t know what to do with them.”

The employees and associates said they spoke out because the Nation of Islam, which advocates a separate African American state, went against Jackson’s multi-cultural philosophy.

Jackson’s multi-racial ideal has itself come under scrutiny in recent years as his appearance changed from black to white due to what he described as a medical condition.

Signs that the Nation of Islam had an interest in Jackson’s case first emerged on December 18 when the pop star’s lawyer Mark Geragos delivered a public defence of his client to the media.

During the address, Leonard Muhammad, the group’s chief of staff, was seen standing in the background.

But the Chicago-based group said in a statement it had not taken over Jackson’s business affairs, nor taken a central role in his defence strategy.

“The Nation of Islam, in response to several inquiries, has said today that it has no official business or professional relationship with Mr Michael Jackson,” said a statement issued by The Final Call, the group’s newspaper.

It added: “The Nation of Islam joins thousands of other people in wishing him well.”

Mr Geragos said: “They are not part of his defence.

“I’m certainly not pushing away support from anyone, but I don’t ask people what their religious affiliation is when they offer support.

“A lot of people have reached out to Michael. Jesse Jackson has called, and I’ve spoken to him. Tons of people are supportive.”

Of Mr Muhammad’s presence at the December 18 news conference Mr Geragos said: “He’s one of Michael’s supporters.”

Mr Muhammad is the son-in-law of the Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. While Jackson’s brother Jermaine has converted to Islam he said during a recent television appearance that his Thriller star brother had no plans to do the same.

Neither Jermaine nor Michael is a member of the Nation of Islam.

The group has been accused of anti-Semitism and inflammatory, separatist rhetoric.

Mr Backerman said he had resigned as Jackson’s spokesman because of what he called “strategic differences”.

Mr Geragos said he had sacked Mr Backerman for speaking to the media during a Jackson family get together on December 20. Mr Geragos said Mr Backerman broke an order not to brief reporters that day.

The family gathering was a show of support for the embattled singer, who is charged with seven counts of performing lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent, reportedly wine.

For his part, Mr Backerman insisted he had not been sacked, saying: “I was the spokesman up until I just resigned. I was not fired.”

There was speculation that Mr Backerman resigned following Jackson’s Sunday night television appearance in which he again said he saw no moral problems with sleeping in the same room as unrelated children.

Jackson also alleged during the interview that he was manhandled by police after his arrest – a claim that is denied.

According to the New York Times the television interview was granted after negotiations involving Mr Muhammad.

The CBS programme “60 Minutes” was shown in exchange for an agreement by the network to broadcast a still-incomplete Michael Jackson special, for which Jackson would be paid nearly £3m (€4.3m), it was reported.