Jackson memo 'no bearing on case'

Mr Jackson has strenuously denied the allegations

Prosecutors and police say a leaked memo clearing singer Michael Jackson of previous child abuse allegations will not affect current legal action.

Los Angeles authorities confirmed they investigated the previous allegations, made by a 13-year-old boy, but ruled in February that they were unfounded.

Police said they did not expect this to be significant to the current case.

Mr Jackson is awaiting formal charges on child abuse after being released on $3m bail.

Mr Jackson has strenuously denied the allegations, calling them a "big lie".

The Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement their involvement in the earlier investigation was limited to trying to interview the boy and his family along with a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) agent.

"A Los Angeles Police Department detective accompanied a DCFS caseworker to make contact with the child at an address that had been provided to DCFS," it said.

The statement added: "The child and his family could not be located at the address.

"The Department of Children and Family Services no longer required the assistance of the Los Angeles Police Department. The Los Angeles Police Department had no further involvement in this matter."

Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon said he was aware of the Los Angeles investigation before proceeding with his own case against Mr Jackson, as did Santa Barbara sheriff Jim Anderson.

Bashir's interview with Mr Jackson was shown earlier this year

"Given what we know, we do not consider the DCFS statement a significant factor," they said in a joint statement.

Mr Jackson, who was arrested, cited and released after surrendering to police on 20 November, is due to appear in court on 9 January to hear formal charges, the details of which have not been made public.