FCB, one of the world’s leading ad agencies, has dropped Nivea Skincare as its client after a 100-year long relationship after a senior employee allegedly said ‘we don’t do gay’ when shown a new ad of two men touching hands.

FCB CEO Carter Murray, said the decision came after ‘much reflection and discussion on our creative ambitions’. He added: ‘There comes a point in every longterm relationship when you reflect on what you’ve accomplished together and set your sails for where your journey will take you next. ‘Sometimes that journey ahead demands tough choices that lead down different paths.’

In the UK where FBC is located Nivea spends more than £225 million on advertising a year.

A spokesperson for Beiersdorf stressed that such behavior was not tolerated at the company.

“We wish to express our concern on the reported allegations as they do not reflect the values of Beiersdorf, Nivea and our employees worldwide. No form of discrimination, direct and indirect, is or will be tolerated. We are strongly committed to diversity, mutual respect, equal opportunity and tolerance.’