London, June 30 Michael Jackson's personal doctor has denied giving him drugs in the hours before his death, saying the icon died in his sleep.

Dr Conrad Murray's lawyer has suggested that Jackson could have injected himself with painkillers or taken pills that made him stop breathing, The Daily Express reports.

Reports have come that the legend had potent painkiller Demerol - also known as Pethidine - in his bloodstream when he died.

Dr Murray's lawyer Ed Chernoff defended his client saying: "He has never ever prescribed or administered Demerol to Michael Jackson... Whether Michael Jackson injected drugs is not something that we can discuss until the toxicology report comes back."

Dr Murray has also been questioned by Los Angeles Police as to why he gave emergency heart massage on a bed instead of a firm surface, as recommended by experts.

His spokeswoman explained: "As Jackson is frail and small and heart pumping can be quite forceful, Murray thought the bed was better." (ANI)