Justin Bieber vows he can't be 'broken' in response to leaked tape

Justin Bieber listens as a lawyer criticizes his recent behaviour in this photo taken from video leaked online by TMZ.

Justin Bieber has vowed he can't be "broken."

The 'Believe' hitmaker insisted he was "strong" and had a right to "defend himself" in apparent response to criticism of his behaviour in a taped deposition - including being rude to a court clerk, admitting to taking anti-anxiety drug Xanax without a prescription and feigning sleep - which leaked online.

"Love how some people love to twist and justify the horrible action of others. We all have a right to defend ourselves and feel harassed," the pop star wrote in a message on Twitter.

"They can't break us. They can't get us down. We are too strong. We love too much. #mybeliebers (sic)"

Bieber, 20, gave the deposition in Miami on Thursday over a lawsuit from photographer Jeffrey Binion, who claims one of the star's bodyguards choked him and stole his camera equipment in June 2013 on the orders of the pop star.

In the video, the 'Beauty and a Beat' star was seen visibly angry when asked about on/off girlfriend Selena Gomez by the photographer's lawyer.

The lawyer asked: "Have you ever talked with Selena Gomez and discussed your feelings about paparazzi with her?"

Bieber replied: "Don't ask me about her again. Don't ask me about her again. Don't ask me about her again."

At another point, the singer laughed at a question, and the lawyer asked if he needed it read back.

He replied: "Well, I don't know, Katie Couric. You tell me."

Later in the footage, Bieber was asked to "look at the film up there."

He replied: "This is a film? This is a film? You said it's a film. You said watch the film. Is this a film?"

He was asked to list the members of his team, and after naming a few people, including manager Scooter Braun, he dismissively said: "The list goes on. It continues, for a long time."

Asked for more names, he added, "I don't recall."

The lawyer then asked how often his team met to discuss his bodyguards, and Bieber replied "I don't recall" before closing his eyes and pretending to sleep.