POP star Michael Jackson "betrayed" a Bahrain-based record company when he allegedly failed to deliver on a promise of a new album, a London court heard yesterday.

The troubled star is being sued at the High Court for $7 million (BD2.64m) for walking out on the business deal with the 2 Seas label, a joint venture with his brother Jermaine and Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Jackson is also accused of not delivering an autobiography and series of stage shows that he allegedly committed himself to. He has denied all the claims against him.

His lawyers insist the money given to him was a gift, said the UK-based news agency, the Press Association.

Bankim Thanki QC, who is representing Shaikh Abdulla, told Mr Justice Sweeney that his client, an amateur songwriter, had formed a "close personal relationship" with Jackson after he invited him, his children and personal staff to stay in Bahrain in June 2005.

He said Jackson had signed a contract for recording albums, writing an autobiography and staging shows in which it had been agreed that the BD2.64m fee would be deducted from Jackson's agreed royalties to pay for the expenses.

Mr Thanki said these included a £175,000 (BD308,000) bill for motivational guru Tony Buzan who was flown into Bahrain to work with Jackson.

The lawyer said his client had hoped to help Jackson rebuild his career and spent millions moving the pop superstar, his children and entourage to the island.

"The costs included the expenses of bringing out Mr Jackson's hairdresser," said Mr Thanki.

The court heard Jackson stayed in Bahrain as a guest of Shaikh Abdulla for almost a year after the end of his child molestation trial in June 2005.

His career fell apart following his arrest in 2003 on charges that he molested a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland ranch in California.

He was cleared of all charges and moved to Bahrain, before he left in May 2006 to go to Europe and Japan.

"The last thing Shaikh Abdulla expected was that he was never coming back," said Mr Thanki.

The following month, Shaikh Abdulla was asked to sign a document releasing Jackson from his obligations under the contract but he refused, said the lawyer.

"My client felt a strong sense of personal betrayal because this was someone he considered a close personal friend," he said.

"The work they had done together and the plans for the future all seemed to be totally frustrated."

Jackson insists there was no valid agreement and that the case against him is based on "mistake, misrepresentation and undue influence".

He argues the payments he received were "gifts" and that no project had ever been finalised.

Meanwhile, his legal teams are fighting to keep Jackson from having to travel to London for the trial and are seeking permission for him to testify by videolink from the US. The case, which began on Monday, resumes today and is expected to last around 12 days.