The Sean “Diddy” Combs verdict does not mean MeToo is dying as most sexual assault cases are settled privately, America’s most prominent female lawyer has said.

The music mogul was this week acquitted on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering after two of his ex-girlfriends, including the R&B singer Cassie Ventura, testified he coerced them into having sex with male escorts.

Combs, 55, was convicted on two lesser charges of transportation for prostitution.

But Gloria Allred, who is representing several of Combs’s alleged victims, including two who have filed civil lawsuits, said the outcome is symptomatic of a waning MeToo movement.

“Nobody should judge the MeToo movement based on what happens in a criminal case,” Ms Allred, who also represented a number of Harvey Weinstein’s accusers said.

“Criminal cases are rare, and most of the civil lawsuits that we do and the confidential settlements never result in a criminal case.”