Fortescue chairman Andrew Forrest has told his leadership team they must commit to corporate diversity and support for same-sex couples, prompting energy boss Mark Hutchinson to issue an apology for how he handled being linked to a religious group that promotes anti-LGBTQIA+ values.

Dr Forrest and Mr Hutchinson both wrote internal messages to appease Fortescue staff on Sunday night, after Mr Hutchinson was required to square the company’s inclusive values with his directorship of Christian organisation Alpha International, which believes in a strictly heteronormative sexual ideology.