I have written to Geraldo Rivera as follows:
Dear Mr Rivera,
I understand that in a recent programme on Fox TV, you said in effect that J M Barrie was accused of "exactly the same thing as Michael Jackson". As Barrie's only living biographer ("J M Barrie & the Lost Boys", published by Yale University Press) I feel it my duty to point out that this is wholly untrue. The New York Post made the same scurrilous - and totally unfounded - accusation before Christmas. I offered $10,000 payable to the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital if they - or anyone else - could produce a shred of evidence to substantiate the claim that Barrie was a paedophile, or that he in any way behaved in a sexually "inappropriate" manner with anyone. As his adopted son Nico Llewelyn Davies succinctly put it, "I doubt that Uncle Jim ever experienced a stirring in the undergrowth for anyone - man, woman, child, or beast!" Thus far the Post has retained a cowardly silence.
I also suggested that in the absence of such proof, the Post should donate a similar amount to the Hospital, to compensate for the damage they have done to the memory of the hospital's greatest benefactor - J M Barrie. No donation has thus far been received from the Post.
If it is true that you made the same allegation on Fox TV, I offer you the same challenge: prove your statement, and I will pay $10,000 to the hospital, failing which I would ask that you publicly withdraw your allegation; better still, make a similar donation to the hospital for the damage you have done. None of the foregoing is to be taken as a judgement on Michael Jackson, but he at least is able to defend himself in court. J M Barrie is not.
Sincerely,
Andrew Birkin