Tensions inside a corruption inquiry have spilled out onto the street as associates of former Liberal state energy minister Chris Hartcher allegedly assaulted reporters after he left the witness box on Monday afternoon.

The dramatic scenes in the lift and outside the Independent Commission Against Corruption building in Sydney come after Mr Hartcher locked horns with the barrister leading the inquiry inside the hearing room.

Channel 7's state political reporter Lee Jeloscek was repeatedly kicked in the shins by a man understood to be Mr Hartcher's son.

This occurred as Mr Hartcher tried to avoid the media by weaving through a series of shops within Sydney's CBD.