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Call for ban on Jackson's visit

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON DEC 20. Michael Jackson, the American pop idol who had his British fans drooling when he came here two years ago, was today facing calls for a ban on his planned visit to Britain over the Christmas period while he is facing child molestation charges at home.

Controversy erupted after a Labour MP wrote to the Home Office arguing that it would be `inappropriate' and `insensitive' for Mr. Jackson to be allowed into Britain at a time when there was widespread concern over child welfare issues. "He is facing very serious charges and we should wait until the outcome of a trial before entertaining him, '' said the MP, Mark Tami.

The Home Office said each individual was treated on a case-by-case basis and a person could be barred from entering the country if his or her visit was deemed "not conducive to the public good''. But it was for immigration officials to take a decision on each case, a spokesman said.

Judging by precedent in such cases, a ban seemed highly unlikely but Mr. Jackson was expected to keep a low profile. His spokesman was quoted as saying that the trip would be a low-key affair — "a sneak in, sneak out situation''.

Officially, the purpose of his visit is to promote his latest album but his spokesman appeared to rule out any hype. "He may well want to have a quiet trip,'' he told the Press Association when asked if he would be giving any public performances.

A spokesperson for a fan club in London said it was going to be a "private visit'' which he planned to spend with "close friends''. Several of the singer's friends rushed to his defence saying they did not believe the charges made against him. Mark Lester, who got to know Mr. Jackson when both were child actors and is godfather of the singer's three children, invited him to stay with him in Cheltenham. Mr. Lester has allowed his own children to stay with Mr. Jackson at his Neverland ranch.

Mr. Jackson has been given special permission by the U.S. authorities to travel to Britain to fulfil his "contractual obligations'' but he must return home by January 6 to face the charges.

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