Will.i.am has attacked the paparazzi and believes people were too quick to criticise Justin Bieber after he was involved in a scuffle with a cameraman.

As previously reported, the 'Believe' star turned heads recently after he was provoked in London after leaving his hotel, with the singer restrained by security.

Speaking to Capital FM, will.i.am said that intrusive photographers are extremely "disrespectful" to celebrities and their privacy. He said:

"Paparazzi are the most disrespectful folk that the industry has. People don't really realise just how intruding they are to one's life."

Referring to Bieber, the Voice UK coach added:

"You don't know what a person is going through every day. You could have a bad day, something can happen in your family. To be that judgmental - that's pressure. Especially when someone's growing up into an adulthood, you're going to affect their adult life."