The former head of one of Microsoft's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) teams had sent an email to staff expressing their anger at the company's decision to close down his team. 

News of the message was first reported by Business Insider and has since been corroborated by IGN, in which the former lead said that their "role and team" had been axed due to "changing business needs". 

They added that DEI programs are in danger across the board, not least with Republican conservative policy initiatives, such as the much-discussed Project 2025. 

"Unofficially in my opinion, not specific to Microsoft alone, but [conservative policy plan] Project 2025 looms and true systems change work associated with DEI programs everywhere are no longer business critical or smart as they were in 2020," the anonymous DEI lead wrote. 

"Hence the purposeful and strategic 3-5 year shelf life of many company's inclusion commitments post the murder of George Floyd are being reevaluated," the email reads. "And the way I see it, the timing was impeccable so businesses everywhere could reevaluate the path forward should their U.S. federal contracts be at risk if the work continues on its face."

In a statement, Microsoft insisted that its DEI commitments were "unchanged". 

"Our focus on diversity and inclusion is unwavering and we are holding firm on our expectations, prioritizing accountability, and continuing to focus on this work," the company said.