Squirming in his seat, Michael Jackson is asked directly on camera whether he’s a pedophile in newly unearthed video footage obtained by DailyMailTV.

The King of Pop is quizzed by lawyers about allegations of child sexual abuse in what’s understood to be the only time he was ever filmed being questioned on the subject during his life.

The iconic singer, who at the time was 37, appears nervous and laughs, giggles and jokes his way through questions about molesting children in the astonishing footage dated March 1, 1996.

The video comes as a documentary,  shown at the Sundance Film Festival, features Jackson’s former child companions Wade Robson and James Safechuck  claiming the star raped and sexually abused the pair during sleepovers at his Neverland ranch.

In Leaving Neverland, Robson and Safechuck reveal lurid details of how Jackson allegedly groomed them before engaging in sexual acts.

DailyMailTV’s newly obtained video footage spanning hours shows Jackson being grilled over the claims and highlights his extremely odd reactions to the serious allegations.

Michael Jackson’s extraordinary 1996 interrogation on abuse claims

Michael Jackson squirmed in his seat when he was asked on camera whether he's a pedophile in newly unearthed video footage obtained by DailyMailTV
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Michael Jackson squirmed in his seat when he was asked on camera whether he’s a pedophile in newly unearthed video footage obtained by DailyMailTV

The video footage spanning hours shows Jackson being grilled over the claims and highlights his extremely odd reactions, including yawning, giggling and making jokes to the serious allegations
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The video footage spanning hours shows Jackson being grilled over the claims and highlights his extremely odd reactions, including yawning, giggling and making jokes to the serious allegations

As the deposition drew to a close, Jackson acted non-plussed about the severity of the matters, whispering into his microphone: 'Testing the sound. Is the air conditioning a problem. Sometimes the high sensitivity of the mics picks up sounds'
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As the deposition drew to a close, Jackson acted non-plussed about the severity of the matters, whispering into his microphone: ‘Testing the sound. Is the air conditioning a problem. Sometimes the high sensitivity of the mics picks up sounds’

The disturbing footage shows Jackson giggling just seconds after he was questioned on the molesting allegations against youngsters Macaulay Culkin, Jordan Chandler and Brett Barnes – the trio who were regular visitors to Jackson’s Neverland ranch.

The video sees Jackson squirm and uncomfortably shuffle in his seat as he was deposed by an attorney over the child sex abuse allegations as part of a lawsuit filed by five Neverland employees against Jackson for wrongful dismissal.

The group – who became known as the new Jackson 5 – asked their lawyer to cross examine Jackson about his behavior and management practice at the ranch.

A key argument from the five’s lawyer Michael Ring was that Jackson had threatened staff, who saw him act inappropriately with children.

In 1995, Jackson ducked a court grilling after giving $20 million to Chandler not to testify against him in court.

He also refused to take the stand in the Gavin Arvizo case in 2005.

But in this video the star has no choice but to be quizzed over the abuse allegations.

The wealthy star was aided by advisor Steve Cochrane and another legal advisor Zia Modabber, while Ring was joined by his co-counsel Ruth Ann Niosi.

It was filmed at The Four Seasons Hotel in New York on March 1, 1996.

Jackson squirms as he’s questioned about molesting boys

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The footage shows Jackson giggle just seconds after he was questioned on molesting allegations against youngsters Macaulay Culkin (pictured in sunglasses in 1991), Jordan Chandler and Brett Barnes ¿ the trio who were regular visitors to Jackson's Neverland ranch
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The footage shows Jackson giggle just seconds after he was questioned on molesting allegations against youngsters Macaulay Culkin (pictured in sunglasses in 1991), Jordan Chandler and Brett Barnes – the trio who were regular visitors to Jackson’s Neverland ranch

Jordan Chandler with Jackson in 1993
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Jackson with Brett Barnes in 1992
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The video sees him squirm and uncomfortably shuffle in his seat as he was deposed by a US attorney over child sex abuse allegations. Pictured: Jordan Chandler with Jackson in 1993 (left) and Jackson with Brett Barnes in 1992 (right)

During the video Jackson compared himself to Jesus and ranted at how he’s been misrepresented.

Jackson, dressed in a black jacket, red frilly stage shirt and black hat, smirked and shook his head whenever the lawyers discussed the child sex claims.

Looking pale white and gaunt the star fidgeted, scratching his neck, chest and head, as he denied knowledge of staff who spoke out against him.

Prosecution lawyer Ring asked: ‘Mr. Jackson were you ever accused of having sexually molested Brett Barnes?’

Jackson appeared stunned, closed his eyes and covered his face, before oddly smiling. He shook his head and smiled again.

After an argument between the lawyers, Ring then added: ‘To your knowledge were you ever accused of sexually molesting Macaulay?’

Again the star reacted oddly. Jackson whisked his hands onto his head, touched his hat and then lounged back in the chair.

His eyes looked to the ceiling; he then swung himself back, grimaced, before returning with a wry smile as he shook his head.

His lawyer sniped: ‘That’s an instruction not to answer on that one.’ Jackson never answered.

He then stared at the floor before looking in disbelief at attorney Ring.

Jackson started the interview sitting upright in front of the lens, but as the questions got more personal, he sank back into his chair. The star - covering his mangled surgically damaged nose with plasters ¿ appeared completely unfazed by the severity of the molestation questions
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Jackson started the interview sitting upright in front of the lens, but as the questions got more personal, he sank back into his chair. The star – covering his mangled surgically damaged nose with plasters – appeared completely unfazed by the severity of the molestation questions

An attorney asked Jackson: 'To your knowledge were you ever accused of sexually molesting  Macaulay [Culkin]?' Jackson (pictured with Macaulay in 1991) whisked his hands onto his head, touched his hat and then lounged back in the chair. His eyes looked to the ceiling; he then swung himself back, grimaced, before returning with a wry smile as he shook his head
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An attorney asked Jackson: ‘To your knowledge were you ever accused of sexually molesting  Macaulay [Culkin]?’ Jackson (pictured with Macaulay in 1991) whisked his hands onto his head, touched his hat and then lounged back in the chair. His eyes looked to the ceiling; he then swung himself back, grimaced, before returning with a wry smile as he shook his head

The three hours of VHS tapes were filmed as part of a private lawsuit taken out by five Neverland (pictured) employees against Jackson for wrongful dismissal
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The three hours of VHS tapes were filmed as part of a private lawsuit taken out by five Neverland (pictured) employees against Jackson for wrongful dismissal

Seconds later he faked a yawn on camera and burst out laughing for no apparent reason.

Later the lawyers argued again about whether the singer should be questioned on his relationship with the children.

Jackson frowned and vigorously shook his head.

The star – covering his mangled surgically damaged nose with plasters – appeared completely unfazed by the severity of the molestation questions.

Asked by Ring: ‘Mr Jackson, in 1993 there were some allegations leveled at you concerning improper conduct concerning some young boys.’

Inexplicably Jackson spluttered out a laugh.