Michael Jackson insurance firm refuses to pay out

The UK firm that insured Michael Jackson's comeback gigs at London's O2 arena has asked a judge in Los Angeles to nullify the $17.5m (£10.7m) policy.

Insurer Lloyd's of London is suing promoter AEG Live saying it failed to supply details including apparent "prescription drug use and/or addiction".

AEG took out the cancellation and non-appearance policy - with cover of up to $17.5m - two months before Jackson's June 2009 death, court papers suggest.

AEG Live was not available for comment.

Lloyd's said a lawyer for AEG Live submitted a claim, along with Jackson's death certificate, within days of the singer's death.

It said that, when AEG Live took out the policy - in which the singer was given the alias Mark Jones - it should have given full information about his medical history.

The insurer said a required medical examination was never carried out.

It also claimed it had sought information from the promoter about Jackson's personal doctor, Conrad Murray, since December 2009.

AEG had failed to provide that information, Lloyd's said.

For all these reasons, Lloyd's said it was not obliged to pay for the cost of cancelling the shows - one of the biggest debts faced by the singer's estate following his death.

Dr Murray, who had been treating Jackson for insomnia, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter over the singer's death.

Prosecutors say he gave Jackson a lethal dose of a powerful anaesthetic and then failed to provide proper care.

Lawyers for Dr Murray, who will appear in court later this year, have suggested in recent months that the singer gave himself the dose of anaesthetic.