Jackson to appear for London lawsuit

LONDON, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Michael Jackson has agreed to testify in person in a breach-of-contract lawsuit at London's High Court, the U.S. pop singer's lawyer said.

The king of Bahrain's son, Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, is suing Jackson for about $7 million for allegedly backing out of a business venture that was to produce an album, including songs the royal wrote for and planned to record with Jackson, as well as an autobiography and a stage play.

However, Jackson contends he never signed an official agreement and insists the payments he received from the sheik were "gifts," claiming the royal's case is based on "mistake, misrepresentation and undue influence," the BBC said.

The Times of London said the eccentric recording artist initially claimed he was too ill to travel and offered to give testimony via video link to the court, however, his lawyer later said Jackson would appear in person.

"He has been cleared by his medical advisers to travel in two days' time," Jackson's attorney Robert Englehart told The Times.

Jackson is expected to fly to the United Kingdom this weekend and give evidence Monday, the newspaper said.