Rowe denies custody deal

The mother of Michael Jackson's children denies receiving a payoffÂ…

09:44 15 July 2009

The mother of Michael Jackson's children, Debbie Rowe, has hit back at claims that she accepted $4million (£2.6million) to drop her bid for custody.

Rowe has insisted she is continuing her fight for parental rights, while her lawyer Eric George is demanding an "immediate retraction" from The New York post who published the story.

In an open letter George writes, "There has been no agreement reached between Ms. Rowe and the Jacksons. Ms. Rowe has not and will not give up her parental rights. No determination has been reached concerning custody or visitation.

"And Ms. Rowe has not accepted and will not accept any additional financial consideration beyond the spousal support she and Michael personally agreed to several years ago."

The newspaper claimed that Rowe had accepted the payment to back out of the custody battle, days before a hearing was scheduled on July 20.

Michael's mother, Katherine Jackson, was made temporary guardian of the children - Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II - when the King of Pop passed away last month.

In 2001, Rowe received $8million (£5.3m) and an annual cash payment of $900,000 (£600,000), relinquishing her rights to the two elder children.