FCB and Nivea are set to part ways after the Beiersdorf-owned brand rejected an image of men’s hands touching, with a senior Nivea employee reportedly saying that ‘We don’t do gay at Nivea’, according to a report published by Forbes.

FCB will work out its contract, which expires at the end of the year. The agency’s official line was that the relationship had ‘become strained’ but no further comment was issued.

Beiersdorf released a statement reaffirming the company’s commitment to diversity but did not reference the alleged comment. “We are concerned about the reported allegations as they do not reflect the values of Beiersdorf and our employees worldwide. No form of discrimination, direct and indirect, is or will be tolerated. We ask for understanding that we can’t comment further on these unsubstantiated speculations. We are strongly committed to diversity, mutual respect, equal opportunity and tolerance. As an international company with more than 20,000 employees worldwide, being in touch with millions of consumers around the globe every day, we value the inspirations and creativity that come wit individuality and diversity,” a spokesperson for the brand told The Times.