Jay Z is celebrating his "victory" after a lawsuit accusing him of rape was dropped

However, after the case against him was "dismissed with prejudice", Jay Z is celebrating clearing his name.

His attorney Alex Spiro said in a statement to Us Weekly: "The false case against Jay-Z, that never should have been brought, has been dismissed with prejudice. By standing up in the face of heinous and false allegations, Jay has done what few can - he pushed back, he never settled, he never paid one red penny, he triumphed and cleared his name."

Jay Z added in a statement via his Roc Nation company: "Today is a victory. The frivolous, fictitious and appalling allegations have been dismissed. This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere.

"The fictional tale they created was laughable, if not for the seriousness of the claims. I would not wish this experience on anyone. The trauma that my wife, my children, loved ones and I have endured can never be dismissed.

"The court must protect victims, OF COURSE, while with the same ethical responsibility, the courts must protect the innocent from being accused without a shred of evidence. May the truth prevail for all victims and those falsely accused equally."

Jay - real name Shawn Carter, has always denied the allegations and had made several attempts through his lawyer to kill the case or force the woman to be publicly identified.

Carter has said the lawsuit against him was part of an extortion attempt.

It was lodged through attorney Tony Buzbee's firm, which is representing more than 100 alleged victims of Combs, and has filed a flood of suits against Diddy since he was jailed in September to await trial on charges including sex trafficking and racketeering - all of which he denies.