Our 10-year fight to tell the world how Jacko ‘abused us’

Star’s child sex accusers James & Wade set to get their day in court

- BY NICOLA METHVEN

When film-maker Dan Reed set about making the follow-up to his documentary Leaving Neverland, he hoped to show Wade Robson and James Safechuck telling their stories about Michael Jackson in front of a jury.

But six years on, the men have yet to make it into court to describe the sexual abuse they claim the singer inflicted on them.

Instead, Leaving Neverland 2 follows Wade, 42, and James, 47, on their tortuous journey to get permission for their day in court, a date now set for November 2026.

They filed lawsuits more than a decade ago against Jackson's companies, MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures, for failing to keep them safe during the time they spent at Neverland as children.

Dan claims: "Because the Jackson estate, at all costs, wants to avoid a trial, they have found ways to delay and delay. Justice delayed, is justice denied."

Much of the film, to be shown on Channel 4 tomorrow night, shows a merry-go-round of perplexing legal knockbacks.

But, finally, in 2023, three appeal judges rule that James and Wade can go to trial, branding the previous rulings against them being able to testify as "perverse". After being told the trial is going ahead, Wade is filled with hope.

He says: "I never expected a legal document like that to be emotional. Standing up for all children is how the ruling felt to me."

Admitting the thought of speaking of his alleged abuse feels "fricking terrifying", he says: "If I get the opportunity to get on the stand and tell the truth - like I wasn't able to do for decades - that's a win for me."

He argues that it is reasonable to go after employees who allowed Jackson to carry out the alleged abuse.