Leigh Sales 'offended and angered' by unwanted kiss at charity ball

ABC journalist Leigh Sales has reacted with shock after receiving an unwanted kiss on her lips while hosting a charity dinner in Sydney.

Sales was MCing the black tie dinner at the Hilton Hotel when she was introduced on stage by Phil Newman, a retired businessman and a director of the multiple sclerosis charity The Trish Foundation.

He went to kiss Sales on the cheek but then turned his head and kissed her on the lips.

Sales reacted by screaming in shock before approaching the microphone telling the 200-strong crowd, "hashtag me too".

"The only reason I am commenting publicly is that given how many people witnessed the incident, I feel it would be gutless not to stand up and say that kind of behaviour is intolerable and the time for women being subject to it or having to tolerate it is long gone," Sales told The Guardian.

"The Trish Foundation for MS Research is an amazing charity and my association goes back years.

"I could not have more respect for what they do. I was offended and angered by the incident on Saturday night.

"I had strong words to the man involved, he apologised and I accepted that apology. That should be the end of it as far as I'm concerned."

9Honey approached the ABC for comment but was told Ms Sales had nothing to add.

Mr Newman apologised to Ms Sales after claiming the kiss was a joke.

"I apologised on the night profusely and she accepted," Mr Newman told The Guardian. "It was an attempt at humour and light entertainment to start the night off.

"I am upset my judgment wasn't better. I am embarrassed I brought any disrespect on the foundation and on Leigh."