Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs says his behaviour in a clip which shows him attacking his ex-partner Cassie in a hotel is “inexcusable”.
In the clip, obtained by US publication CNN, the US rapper is seen chasing the singer, real name Casandra Ventura, as she waits for an elevator at the InterContinental Hotel in LA in March 2016, before hitting her and throwing her to the ground.
It also show the US music mogul, who was wearing only a white towel, kicking Ms Ventura as she lays on the ground, before hurling a vase towards her.
The star’s actions in the clip match a description of an incident at the hotel described in a lawsuit filed by Ms Ventura, which was settled in November.
Responding to the footage, which emerged earlier this week, he said he is “truly sorry” for the way he acted and that he is “disgusted” about what he did.
In a video statement on his Instagram page, he said: “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that.
“I was f***** up – I mean I hit rock bottom – but l make no excuses. My behaviour on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now.
“I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to be a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”
Combs has previously denied all allegations made against him.
A document used in the lawsuit read: “In or around March 2016, during an FO at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, Mr Combs became extremely intoxicated and punched Ms Ventura in the face, giving her a black eye.”
Ms Ventura claimed Combs raped and was violent towards her in their decade-long relationship in the lawsuit.
Her lawyer Douglas H Wigdor said in response to the video footage: “The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behaviour of Mr Combs.
“Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.”
Combs has since been named as a defendant in several sexual abuse lawsuits, and in March his properties in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by federal authorities in a reported sex trafficking investigation.
Combs has vehemently denied the allegations and has not been charged with any crime.
