The head of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, has apologised for comments he made suggesting that women should not ask for pay rises, but “have faith in the system”.

The remarks, made at the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing conference to celebrate women in technology, have caused controversy and the interviewer at the event, president of Harvey Mudd College and Microsoft director Maria Klawe, immediately disagreed with him.

In a letter to staff, Mr Nadella said: "Maria asked me what advice I would offer women who are not comfortable asking for pay raises. I answered that question completely wrong.

"Without a doubt, I wholeheartedly support programs at Microsoft and in the industry that bring more women into technology and close the pay gap. I believe men and women should get equal pay for equal work. And when it comes to career advice on getting a raise when you think it's deserved, Maria's advice was the right advice. If you think you deserve a raise, you should just ask."