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MH17 victim's family to Sky News: Footage was sick

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The death and destruction surrounding MH17 was hard to stomach.

For the British family who lost their loved one, it was even harder watching television footage of the crash and the resultant carnage.

They have condemned Sky News reporter Colin Brazier, who was filmed live on air rifling through victims’ possessions – branding the footage "sick."

The presenter was shown picking items – including a set of keys and a toothbrush – out of the open luggage before saying: "We really shouldn’t be doing this, I suppose."

Speaking from the family home in Leicester, older brother Thomas, 24, said: 'I think it's totally out of order. It's not on."

The Daily Mail reported that Prime Minister David Cameron also condemned the reporter's actions branding it "completely inappropriate".

Rummaging through victims' belongings

Inappropriate: Sky News presenter pictured rummaging through a crash victim's belongings. Source: Mail Online

The Leeds University student was one of 10 Britons to die when the Malaysia Airlines jet crashed in Ukraine on Thursday.

Mr Mayne said: "It's really hard for us at the moment. The magnitude of it all and the way it happened. You don't think this sort of stuff happens to you... We want to lay him in peace, see him one last time and give him a good send off."

He added: "For all the families involved, they really should not be doing it.

"My mum and dad have had so much to cope with over the past few days as it is. They're sick of it."

Over 100 complaints

The report has so far sparked 110 complaints with television watchdog Ofcom.

Twitter users criticised Mr Brazier after he was back on television reporting - despite the backlash.

Social media users comment

Social media users came out to criticise and defend the reporter's actions. Source: Mail Online

Mr Cameron was also reported to have told the House of Commons: "I think people have to understand that this is effectively a murder scene but also a scene where there are people's loved ones... and people should behave in an appropriate way."

An Ofcom spokesman added: "A decision has not been made yet as to whether there will be an investigation."

Sky News issued a public apology but refused to say whether disciplinary action would be taken against the veteran reporter.

Saying sorry

Sky's statement said: "Today whilst presenting from the site of the MH17 air crash, Colin Brazier reflected on the human tragedy of the event and showed audiences the content of one of the victims’ bags.

"Colin immediately recognised that this was inappropriate and said so on air.

"Both Colin and Sky News apologise profusely for any offence caused."

The Guardian reported that Mr Brazier later gave a moving account of coming across scores of human remains at the site, charred beyond recognition.

He said: "I’ve been walking around, coming across body parts all the time... Men, women and children, indeterminate frankly, you can’t tell. Very often you are looking at charred spines, that’s all that’s left.

"It is a truly macabre, horrific situation. There is a degree of anarchy and lawlessness."

Sources: Mail Online, The Guardian