Michael Jackson’s friend Mark Lester’s daughter Harriet reveals shock at claims Michael wanted to ‘marry her’
Harriet also revealed that she is keen to reach out of MJ's daughter Paris
MARK Lester and his daughter Harriet have come to the defence of late Michael Jackson following recent claims made by the singer’s former private doctor Conrad Murray.
The father and daughter appeared on Loose Women to clear up issues raised by Conrad’s claim that his former patient Michael wanted to “marry” Harriet – who was 12 years old at the time and had a crush on Harry Potter star Emma Watson, who was aged 11 at the time.
Harriet, 22, spoke for the first time about the physician’s claims as she admitted: “I feel just a bit hurt and shocked and confused.”
She continued: "I had never expected that to happen and for anyone to say that. I t was very surprising.
"All my friends and family are behind me saying it was completely ridiculous."
The extraordinary claims are made in Dr Conrad Murray’s new book, This Is It, named after the concerts Jacko was due show at London’s O2 Arena before he died.
The star’s doc - who was jailed for four years for the manslaughter of the singer - claimed Michael was instantly infatuated with his god-daughter ever since he first met the then five-year-old.
When asked about whether Jackson behaved inappropriately towards her, Harriet explained: "It is obviously very difficult to think in that way, but I have been forced to look back on things and I can honestly say there was nothing at all."
She then added: "I can't imagine that Michael would ever do that to my father as well... I'm not going to let this cloud those memories."
Harriet then went on to correct some errors Dr Conrad had made about her age as she dismissed being "groomed" by telling the Loose Women panellists: "I was actually around 15 or 16 at the time.
"He was wonderful, really supportive genuinely fantastic human being. It really saddens me."
Her father also shared his thoughts on the claims as he speculated that Michael might have said he wanted to marry his daughter in a "fairy tale" and "innocent"way.
Mark explained: "It's very hard for me to tell you in a short amount of time what he was like."
The former Oliver! actor continued to stand by the late singer as he explained: "I have to defend him from people who never met him, who just hear things from the media.
"All the drug stuff was very well hidden because the only thing I ever saw was a bottle of aspirin in his cupboard".
He added: "Some guy who has written a book with a few sentences in isn't going to tarnish Michael".
Harriet admitted that they hadn't spoken to Paris since Michael's death, and revealed: 'I would love to have contact with them, but I think they must have been quite sheltered."
Mark famously donated his sperm to the late singer and has been linked to speculation that he could be the biological father of Michael's children, Prince, 19, Paris, 18, and 14-year-old Prince Michael Jackson II (Blanket).
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