Leno challenges Jackson gag order

Jay Leno regularly jokes about Mr Jackson on The Tonight Show

US TV host Jay Leno, who is set to give evidence in Michael Jackson's trial, has urged a rethink of a court order gagging everyone involved in the case.

Mr Leno has asked the California trial judge to lift or clarify the ban on discussing the case outside court.

He regularly makes jokes about Mr Jackson on The Tonight Show - but the gag order could put a stop to that.

Mr Jackson's lawyers want to call Mr Leno as a witness. The singer denies 10 charges relating to child molestation.

Police call

The presenter hosts the nightly Tonight Show on the NBC network.

Mr Leno's court motion said: "This court could not possibly have intended its gag order, which was issued more than a year ago, to limit public personalities like Mr Leno from commenting on public proceedings in this case."

Mr Jackson's lawyer Thomas Mesereau has said the family of the boy at the centre of the case tried to get money from Leno, who became suspicious and called the police.

Mr Leno even joked on air about being called as a defence witness. He quipped his relationship with Mr Jackson was innocent and all they did was cuddle but "people have to make it something dirty".

Another of Leno's recent jokes was: "Today, Michael Jackson's lawyer said that he will not play the race card - mainly because he can't figure out what race Michael is."