People News

Oktoberfest snub for Joe Jackson

Oct 2, 2009, 12:00 GMT

Joseph Jackson, father of late pop star Michael Jackson, poses for photographers during his visit to Atzelsberg Castle near Marloffstein, Germany, 21 September 2009. EPA/DANIEL KARMANN

Michael Jackson's father has been banned from a German beer festival because he should not be partying after his "child has passed away".

Music mogul Joe Jackson requested access to a VIP marquee at Oktoberfest - an annual event which runs for 16 days in Munich - but was refused entry by events organiser Sepp Kratz because he thinks Joe should be mourning the death of his son, who passed away in June.

Sepp, who has run the Hippodrum tent for 15 years, told German magazine Stern: "Michael Jackson's father was desperate to have a seat reserved. I rejected his request immediately. I was really shocked. The man has just buried his son. It's totally inappropriate to celebrate happily just after your child passed away. That's just not right. In short, anyone who has no sense of decency isn't welcome at our place."

Although Sepp isn't a fan of Joe, one celebrity he did enjoy having in his tent was Paris Hilton.

Sepp revealed: "Paris came three years ago. She was lucky, she was allowed to enter. She really behaved herself, but I do think she has an ice cold heart."

Oktoberfest kicked off on September 19 and ends on October 4.

Joe - who the ?Billie Jean' singer claimed beat him throughout his childhood - was criticised in the immediate aftermath of Michael's death for publicising new business ventures while speaking about he loss of his son.