'Intolerable': Leigh Sales speaks out about unwanted kiss at charity event

ABC journalist Leigh Sales was hosting a charity event for multiple sclerosis on Saturday night when a prominent businessman planted an unwelcome kiss on her lips in front of a shocked crowd.

According to The Guardian Australia, the incident happened when the director of Trish Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation, the charity behind the black-tie event, introduced Sales and offered her his cheek.

As the acclaimed broadcaster went to peck Phil Newman’s cheek, he turned his head at the last minute so his lips connected with Sales’ mouth.

Witnesses told The Guardian, the 7.30 host had been so taken aback she had screamed, while the room of around 200 guests emitted an audible gasp.

Sales then approached the microphone and said “hashtag Me Too” before composing herself and carrying on with her hosting duties for the charity event.

In the days following the incident, Sales spoke out over the Trish MS Foundation director and retired businessman’s “intolerable behaviour”.

“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,” she told The Guardian.

The ABC released a statement on Monday on Ms Sales’ behalf where she stated that later in the evening, she had confronted Mr Newman over his conduct.

“I was offended and angered by the incident on Saturday night,” multiple media outlets, including News Corp, reported.

“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.”

Mr Newman confirmed to The Guardian Australia he had apologised “profusely” to Sales, claiming his conduct was intended as a joke.

Upon realising he had offended the ABC host, he said he was “horrified”.

“It was an attempt at humour and light entertainment to start the night off,” Mr Newman said.

“I am upset my judgment wasn’t better. I am embarrassed I brought any disrespect on the foundation and on Leigh.”

The chair of the Trish Foundation, Carol Langsford, also apologised to Ms Sales on behalf of the charity over the behaviour of its director.

“We are terribly upset that Leigh was embarrassed by one of our volunteers and of course, our volunteer and the Trish Foundation apologise sincerely and unreservedly,” Ms Langsford told Yahoo News Australia.

Supporters praise Leigh Sales for speaking out

Following coverage on Monday of Saturday’s incident, many expressed disbelief and outrage over the behaviour and praised Sales for calling it out as inappropriate.

“What he did... should be called out. I wouldn't have kissed him on the cheek, either. Men expecting women to kiss them in a work setting is terrible,” one person tweeted.

Another added: “Thank you @leighsales for calling him out on this. This happens far, far, far too often (in workplace situations) – and we're made to feel like there's something wrong with us if we say 'no' or turn away or speak up about how inappropriate it is.”

Guardian Australia journalist Katharine Murphy wrote: “This is gross. The end.”

Sales’ ABC colleague Michael Rowland was among those to voice distaste over the retired businessman’s attempt at a joke.

Rowland tweeted: “Who does this?!”

Yahoo News Australia has reached out to the ABC and Ms Sales in relation to Saturday evening’s incident.

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