Michael Jackson’s bodyguard hits again after late star appeared in Epstein information and divulges why pair have been collectively

Michael Jackson‘s former bodyguard has defended the late pop star’s appearance in the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Jackson was pictured alongside the dead pedophile in documents released Friday by the Department of Justice release.

The snapshot showed the late musician wearing a suit and large, dark sunglasses while posing next to Epstein, who is sporting a zip-up hoodie. 

The image was one of hundreds of thousands of documents released without context by the DOJ. There is no suggestion that Jackson is accused of any wrongdoing. 

But Matt Fiddes, 46, who claimed he would have been Jackson’s bodyguard when the picture was taken, spoke out to provide an explanation for his former employer’s appearance.

‘We were just viewing houses as Michael wanted to live on Palm Beech [sic] so he can be close to his friend Barry Gibb,’ Fiddes said in a social media comment Saturday.

‘We never even knew who Epstein was,’ he added. ‘He was not famous then.’

Fiddes alleged that a real estate agent organized a weeklong series of house viewings for Jackson, one of which was at Epstein’s for-sale home.

‘He like the other house owners we viewed that week wanted a picture with Michael,’ Fiddes claimed.

Michael Jackson was photographed next to Jeffrey Epstein in the a tranche of files related to the dead pedophile, released by the Department of Justice on Friday

Jackson’s ex-bodyguard said the superstar singer ‘never had a clue’ who Epstein or any of the other property owners were.

Fiddes added: ‘Michael would always be polite to everyone he meets.’

Although the photo released was undated, Fiddes claimed the picture took place in 2003.

‘Michael was recording daily with Barry Gibb back then,’ he added, referring to the British musician.

Another bodyguard and Jackson’s then-doctor were also present when the encounter with Epstein happened, according to Fiddes.

Fiddes stressed that Epstein was not in Jackson’s ‘financial circles’ and said those accusations were ‘all nonsense’.

‘It was making big news as we looked at houses with him on Palm beach so I am surprised the truth is not being told,’ he said.

Jackson was also pictured in an undated snapshot alongside former US President Bill Clinton and singer Diana Ross. They have not been accused of any wrongdoings

Fiddes worked as Jackson’s bodyguard for about a decade before the pop star’s death in 2009.

In Friday’s release, the late pop icon was also pictured alongside former US President Bill Clinton and singer Diana Ross.

The undated photo was published without context and does not suggest anyone in it is guilty of any crime.

In a statement, Clinton’s press secretary said: ‘The White House hasn’t been hiding these files for months only to dump them late on a Friday to protect Bill Clinton.

‘This is about shielding themselves from what comes next, or from what they’ll try and hide forever.’

The Department of Justice released more than 300,000 pages of evidence connected with Epstein on Friday, but many files were left redacted.

Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna, who pushed to release the files, said the release was insufficient.

Fiddes claimed that Jackson ‘never even knew who Epstein was’ and that the now-deceased financier ‘wanted a picture with Michael’

Fiddes was Jackson’s bodyguard for about a decade before the pop music superstar died in 2009 

As a result, Khanna said that he and Massie were ‘drafting articles of impeachment and inherent contempt’ against Attorney General Pam Bondi.

‘We haven’t decided whether to move it forward yet, but we’re in the process of doing it,’ he told CNN.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the redactions were needed in order to protect the victims’ identities.

‘The only redactions being applied to the documents are those required by law — full stop,’ he said.

Blanche added: ‘Consistent with the statute and applicable laws, we are not redacting the names of individuals or politicians unless they are a victim.’

The Justice Department has said additional materials will be unsealed and released before the end of the year.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Fiddes for further comment.