MICROSOFT’S management has been left red-faced and forced to apologise after the company hired scantily clad dancing school girls for a recent gaming event.

The raunchy entertainers were positioned on podiums around the venue and stood dancing for the crowd in nothing more than a bra and skirt. Far from having the desired effect, a number of attendees and others on social media voiced their anger at the inappropriateness of the entertainment.

The party was held late last week following a conference for video game developers put on by Microsoft’s Xbox division, but following a tsunami of criticism the company said it was “unequivocally wrong” to have hired the dancers.

The gaming industry has been plagued by a longstanding image that it is hostile towards women and this latest incident has done nothing to help that unflattering perception.

Ironically, just hours beforehand, Microsoft had reportedly sponsored a Women in Gaming luncheon to promote gender diversity in the industry.

Hey @Microsoft, when we said we wanted more women in the games industry, we didn't mean dancers at your #GDC16 party. @xbox @MicrosoftWomen — Eline Muijres @ GDC (@ElineMuijres) March 18, 2016

Nothing says "We want more women in game development" like a party with female go go dancers, right @Xbox and @Microsoft? — Laralyn McWilliams (@Laralyn) March 18, 2016

Sort of amazing how within 24 hours Microsoft hosted a women in games lunch, and hired schoolgirl dancers for a party. — Lewie Procter (@LewieP) March 18, 2016

Making a formal complaint tomorrow. I will not stand for this. I'm trying to encourage women into the industry then this happens. — Kamina Vincent (@spamoir) March 18, 2016

The total hypocrisy of @Microsoft @Xbox hosting a WIG lunch and then having a party with go go dancers is breathtaking. #GDC16 — GDC Recovery Mode (@biancajand) March 18, 2016

The head of Microsoft’s Xbox division Phil Spencer issued a statement saying the incident “represented Xbox and Microsoft in a way that was absolutely not consistent or aligned to our values”.

He acknowledged the event “disappointed many people” and said the company would “do better in the future”.

In an internal email obtained by The Verge, which the company said was sent to all Xbox employees, Mr Spencer lamented the situation to employees calling for more attention to be paid to more inclusive practices.

“When we do the opposite, and create an environment that alienates or offends any group, we justly deserve the criticism,” he wrote to his staff.

“We need to hold ourselves to higher standards and we will do better in the future.”