Lawyer: Michael Jackson too sick to go to court

November 19, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

LONDON — Michael Jackson’s attorney said Tuesday that the pop star might be too sick to travel to London to testify in a suit claiming he owes an Arab sheik $7 million.

Jackon is seeking to give his testimony by video link from the United States.

Al Khalifa’s lawyer, Bankim Thanki, said the medical evidence presented by Jackson’s legal team was “very unsatisfactory” and Jackson’s illness could be treated with a bandage “if the diagnosis is positive.”

“It’s not the first time a sick note has been presented by Mr. Jackson,” Thanki said.

The judge, Nigel Sweeny, said he would decide the matter Thursday to allow time for medical experts on both legal teams to talk.

Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the second son of the king of Bahrain, claims that Jackson reneged on a contract for an album, a candid autobiography and a stage play, after accepting millions from the sheik.

Today’s birthdays

Actor Alan Young (“Mr. Ed”) is 89. Talk show host Larry King is 75. Fashion designer Calvin Klein is 66. Actress Meg Ryan is 47. Actress Jodie Foster is 46. Actress Terry Farrell (“Becker”) is 45. Drummer Travis McNabb of Better Than Ezra is 39. Singer Tony Rich is 37. Singer Jason Albert of Heartland is 35. Country singer Billy Currington is 35.