Diageo settles legal dispute with Sean Combs

Diageo said on Tuesday that it has agreed to resolve all disputes with Sean Combs, after the rapper accused the drinks company of racism and of neglecting their business agreements regarding the Ciroc Vodka and DeLeon Tequila brands.

The company said that Combs, also known as ‘Diddy’, has withdrawn all of his allegations about Diageo and will voluntarily dismiss his lawsuits against the group with prejudice.

"Diageo and Mr. Combs have no ongoing business relationship, either with respect to Cîroc vodka or DeLeón tequila, which Diageo now solely owns," it said.

Diageo announced in June last year that it was ending its partnership with Combs following the accusations. Combs accused Diageo of falling short of its commitments for distribution, investment and brand positioning for DeLeon. He cited "racial typecasting" and said DeLeon's distribution had been limited to "urban" neighbourhoods.

But the drinks company said at the time that Combs’ accusations were false and defamatory and had been made to extract money from the group.