Sir Paul McCartney has hit out at “false” reports about Michael Jackson's ownership of the Beatles back catalogue.

Jackson, who died last month, bought over 200 Beatles songs in 1985 after he trumped a joint bid by Sir Paul and John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono.

At the time, Jackson's ownership, which was reduced to a 50% stake in 1995, was said to have upset Sir Paul.

But in January it was claimed Jackson planned to leave his share to Sir Paul in his will in order to repair their friendship.

Since the star's death last month, further reports had suggested Sir Paul was devastated that Jackson had not left him the songs in his will.

But in a statement on his official website, Sir Paul said both the original and latest reports were untrue.

He wrote: “Some time ago, the media came up with the idea that Michael Jackson was going to leave his share in the Beatles songs to me in his will which was completely made up and something I didn’t believe for a second.

"Now the report is that I am devastated to find that he didn’t leave the songs to me. This is completely untrue.

“I had not thought for one minute that the original report was true and therefore, the report that I’m devastated is also totally false, so don’t believe everything you read folks!”

The former Beatle added that, although the former friends had “drifted apart”, they “never really fell out” over Jackson's purchase of the catalogue.

“I have fond memories of our time together,” he added.

Sir Paul first formed a friendship with the singer after he dueted with Jackson on the 1982 single 'The Girl Is Mine'.

(by Jason Gregory)