Why Prince Harry is named in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ $30 million sexual assault lawsuit

The Duke of Sussex is named in a $30 million (£24 million) lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, accusing the rapper of sex trafficking and sexual abuse.

Combs, who has been the subject of numerous allegations of sexual harassment, is said to have attracted guests to his infamous parties through his VIP contacts with “celebrities such as famous athletes, politicians, artists, musicians and international dignitaries such as the British royal family Prince Harry,” the legal notice states.

The 73-page lawsuit was filed last month by record producer Rodney Jones and accuses the billionaire of serial abuse.

There is no evidence of any wrongdoing on the part of the prince, and his name is mentioned only once in the documents as an example of a well-known prominent associate of Combs.

Both Harry and his brother Prince William were photographed with Combs and Kanye West in 2007 after the musicians Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium.

In his lawsuit, Jones accuses Combs of sexual abuse and claims that he hosted parties attended by sex workers and underage girls.

He also claims that Combs forced him to solicit prostitutes and pressured him to have sex with them. The 54-year-old media mogul has denied the allegations, calling them “pure fiction.”

Three other women are also suing Combs. Two of his properties in Miami and Los Angeles were searched by federal agents on Monday as part of the ongoing investigation.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated: “Homeland Security Investigations New York conducted police operations as part of an investigation with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and our local law enforcement partners.”

In November last year, Combs was sued by his ex-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, who claimed that Combs raped, drugged and assaulted her over a ten-year period.

The lawsuit was settled the next day, but over the next month, three more lawsuits followed accusing him of sexually abusing the plaintiffs or engaging in revenge pornography against them.

In a statement in December, he called the allegations “repulsive” and said his accusers were “looking for a quick payday.”

“To be clear, I have not committed any of the horrific acts I am accused of. I will fight for my name, my family and the truth,” he said.

Combs, also known as P Diddy and Puff Daddy, is one of the most influential hip hop producers and managers of the 21st century, having previously worked with artists such as Usher, Notorious BIG and Mary J Blige.