Editor-in-chief of The Age newspaper, Mark Forbes, has resigned amid sexual harassment claims.

Mr Forbes, who was appointed to the role in April, was accused of groping a young female journalist at The Age Music Victoria Awards in November.

The woman claimed Mr Forbes had grabbed her bottom on the night.

Fairfax released a statement on Friday saying Mr Forbes had been stood down while the incident was being investigated, but on Monday, the newspaper’s staff were told Mr Forbes would not be returning to the office.

In an email sent to Fairfax staff on Monday, Mr Forbes apologised for his behaviour and for failing to uphold the standards expected from the paper.

“The Age demands the highest standards of behaviour from our leaders, in the community, business and politics,” Mr Forbes wrote.

“As EIC of The Age, I must uphold all the standards which we would expect in others.

“I acknowledge and accept that I have not done so. Whatever the circumstance, even a single lapse of judgement in upholding these standards should have serious consequences.

“Accordingly, I believe it is untenable to remain as EIC.

“I again apologise to the person concerned, and I apologise to all of you as, ultimately, I have let you down.”

The news comes as The Guardian reports a second woman accused Mr Forbes of sexual harassment on Saturday.

The woman claimed Mr Forbes had stared at her breasts at a social function in February, before saying words to the effect of: “You’re looking busty … not that I’m complaining.”

Whatever the circumstance, even a single lapse of judgement in upholding these standards should have serious consequences.”
Mark Forbes

Mr Forbes was news director at the time.

Fairfax Media editorial director Sean Aylmer said the company had accepted Mr Forbes’ resignation and acknowledged his long career at the company.

“Mark felt that in this instance he had fallen short of the behaviour that The Age stands for,” he said.

“We acknowledge Mark’s extensive service to Fairfax spanning more than 30 years, in various roles including News Director of The Age, Editor of The Sunday Age, defence and foreign affairs correspondent in Canberra, as well as Indonesia correspondent.”

Mr Forbes’ departure comes a week after The New Daily reported that Fairfax shares were tumbling and investors were being warned to sell off.

Mark Forbes has been editor of The Age since April this year. Photo: ABC

The company reported a net loss of $893 million in the year to the end of June 2016.

Mr Forbes has spent the bulk of his career at Fairfax, where he began as a cadet in 1985.

He has worked as a political correspondent, foreign correspondent in Indonesia and an investigative reporter for the publisher, winning a number of awards, including a Walkley for his coverage.

He has also won the United Nations Media Peace Prize for his work on Indonesia’s Papua province.

Current editor Alex Lavelle will oversee the newsroom.

-with ABC