Jackson's lawyer warns accusers

Michael Jackson gave the peace sign after being bailed

Michael Jackson's lawyer has said that he will use "every legal avenue" to pursue those making allegations against the singer.

Mark Geragos said he wanted to put a halt to opportunists seeking to make money out of the singer by pursuing "scurrilous accusations".

The star was booked over child abuse allegations and will appear in court in January.

Mr Geragos said the singer was secretly videotaped as he flew on a private jet to surrender to police last week.

A temporary court order barring anyone connected to the airline from showing the tapes had been granted, he said.

The firm allegedly tried to sell a tape of the singer and his lawyer discussing the case.

The FBI has said it is investigating the airline.

FBI spokesman Matthew McLaughlin said agents had gone to the headquarters of XtraJet.

"We're currently assessing if a federal violation has occurred," Mr McLaughlin said.

Mr Geragos said the press put on "unblinkingly" people "who claim to know Michael Jackson, who claim to have worked for Michael Jackson, who've never laid eyes on him".

That is not going to go on anymore," he told a hastily-arranged press conference in Los Angeles.

Restraining order

"We will meet any accusation that's made, with every legal avenue and we will not sit back and allow him to be abused."

Mr Geragos said they had won a restraining order against the company blocking it from selling, duplicating or even showing the tape to anyone.

"If anybody doesn't think, based upon what's happened so far, that the true motivation of these charges and these allegations, is anything but money, and the seeking of money, then they are living in their own Neverland," he told reporters.

Mr Jackson is currently free on $3m bail after turning himself in to police in Santa Barbara.

Chart hopes

He denies the multiple charges of "lewd or lascivious acts" with a child younger than 14.

The charges are thought to relate to one child and carry possible jail sentences of three to eight years each.

Michael Jackson turned himself in to police in California on Thursday

Meanwhile, Jackson's latest single One More Chance is expected to chart in the top five in the UK this weekend despite the current allegations.

The single has been selling well since its release on Monday, according to midweek chart figures.

"Michael Jackson won't be challenging for the number one single spot but a top five place is still good," said music retail chain HMV's Gennaro Casteldo.

"It shows the public still rate him as an artist, despite what they might think of him as a person."

Pop Idol winner Will Young is expected to win this week's chart battle with his new single Leave Right Now.