Debbie Rowe, Michael Jackson's ex-wife and the mother of his two oldest children, has launched a foul-mouthed tirade against reporters in Los Angeles.

It came after they questioned her over custody rights to Prince Michael II and Paris Michael as she was leaving a restaurant.

A reporter asked: "Debbie, are you ready to fight for your kids, Debbie? Are you ready to fight for your children?" Jackson's ex-wife replied: "Don't touch me."

The reporter asks the question again but before he can finish Ms Rowe, now jabbing her finger at the camera repeats: "Don't touch me."

Then the reporter asks: "Are you ready to fight for your children?"

Ms Rowe starts to swear and says: "Are you ready to get your butt kicked? Don't ...... touch me."

When the reporter asks, "Debbie, are you ready to take a cash settlement for the kids?", she speeds away in her car.

Ms Rowe has backed out of attending the Staples Center memorial service For her ex-husband.

In a statement, Ms Rowe's attorney said that "the onslaught of media attention has made it clear her attendance would be an unnecessary distraction to an event that should focus exclusively on Michael's legacy".

"Debbie will continue to celebrate Michael's memory privately," the statement added.

The singer, who died on June 25 aged 50, left behind three children: son Michael Joseph Junior, known as Prince Michael, 12; daughter Paris Michael Katherine, 11; and son Prince Michael II, 7.

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