An American lawyer spearheading the crusade against sexual harassment sparked by the downfall of Harvey Weinstein believes that the problem is endemic in all walks of life – but the fashion industry could be the last bastion of unacceptable behaviour.

Lisa Bloom, daughter of famed civil rights lawyer Gloria Allred, has spent three decades defending abused women and taking on titans of industry and showbusiness – representing women accusing Bill Cosby, Bill O’Reilly and President Donald Trump.

Her own relationship with Weinstein, however, is complicated.

She shocked many by agreeing to represent him when the allegations first surfaced, on October 5, before dropping him and saying she regretted her decision.

On Friday she appeared on US daytime chat show The View, and admitted that a deal she had made with Weinstein to turn her book on the Trayvon Martin case into a documentary clouded her judgement.

“I very much regret ever being involved in this,” she said. “I’m mortified that I was connected with him in any way. All the people who have reached out to me to say, ‘Lisa, we’re hurt and disappointed in you.’ I get it. And I’m very, very sorry.”