Jackson photographer: 'Michael was on drugs'

A former personal photographer for Michael Jackson has claimed that the late singer was on drugs.

Ian Barkley, who was hired by the King of Pop in 2002, has spoken out about what he allegedly witnessed during his employment, E! reports.

He said: "50% of the time, he was on drugs. He had doctor after doctor working with him and had people score him prescription drugs that he knew he didn't have prescriptions for. He definitely had a problem."

Barkley, who is understood to have been employed by the 'Thriller' singer for three years, said that although Jackson was a doting father to his three children, he would exhibit "two sides" due to his alleged drug use.

He added: "When he wasn't dosed up on pills, he was extremely mentally sound, very business-like, very smart, but when he was on drugs, he would do some really odd things.

"It was basically flipping a coin and depending on what day it was, was how he was. Some days Michael would show up to an event and we could tell because he had this giggly, laughing face on.

"I am not sure what kind of meds, but I know there were mixtures."

It was earlier reported that the Drug Enforcement Administration was asked by the LAPD to aid in the investigation of the popstar’s doctors and suspected prescription pill misuse.