Michael Jackson auction cancelled

Apr 15, 2009, 9:55 GMT

(FILE) A file photgraph showing items belonging to US pop star Michael Jackson on display in Los Angeles , California, USA 13 April 2009. Items from Jackson\'s Neverland Ranch were be auctioned to the highest bidders and were expected to raise more than 10 million dollars. The planned auction of items from the former home of pop star Michael Jackson has been cancelled is has been reported on 15 April 2009. Jackson\'s production company sued the auction house to stop the sale. A last-minute settlement means Michael Jackson\'s belongings will now be returned to him. In response, he has dropped the lawsuit. EPA/PAUL BUCK

An auction of Michael Jackson's possessions has been cancelled.

The sale of around 2,000 of the singer's belongings has been labelled a "misunderstanding" and was abandoned last night (14.04.09) after Jackson filed a lawsuit to prevent the auction.

The pop superstar's manager, Dr. Tohme Tohme, said: "It was a misunderstanding. It was his personal property. It was never supposed to be sold."

The items, taken from Jackson's recently sold Neverland ranch in Santa Barbara, California - which included a customised Rolls Royce car, a single crystal white glove worn in the singer's famous 'Billie Jean' video and numerous stage costumes - was due to take place at Julien's Auction House in Los Angeles next Wednesday (22.04.09).

Darren Julien, organiser of the sale, said: "The auction isn't going to take place. We wanted to reach an agreement with Jackson, and we have reached one today that is mutually acceptable and beneficial."

The 50-year-old star's production company, MJJ Productions, launched legal action against the auction last month, arguing it had not been approved by the 'Thriller' singer, despite earlier co-operation with the organisers.

While the sale - which one auctioneer estimated could have fetched up to $12 million - has been cancelled, a display of the items is still open to the public until April 25, after which the goods will be returned to Jackson.

According to Tohme, Jackson eventually wants a permanent display of his belongings like the late Elvis Presley has.

Tohme said: "One day he will have a beautiful museum, like Graceland."

Jackson is scheduled to perform 50 sold out dates at London's O2 arena - billed as his last ever concerts in the UK - from June this year.