Sky news reporter inspected suitcase of dead MH17 passenger

A Sky News reporter created one of the most shocking reports at the scene of the MH17 crash this Sunday after picking up belongings of one of the victims of the crash.

The reporter immediately recognized that he had made a mistake and apologized on-air but it wasn't enough to prevent a barrage of blame.

Following on from the blunder, the reporter's insensitive and gross error of judgement to interfere with items at the scene of the crash created a backlash that may be investigated by Britain's media regulator Ofcom.

According to the BBC over 100 people made complaints following the Sunday broadcast while the reporter himself went further by writing an open letter about the incident.

In the Guardian today, Colin Brazier writes:

"What about intimate belongings? They brought home the poignancy of the tragedy. They told a story of lives – swimming trunks, laptops, duty free, books – snuffed out in an instant.They provided the backdrop for me to ask why victims were being left to rot in the sun. Other journalists, some well known broadcasters, were handling belongings and speaking to camera. In a place without rules, I foolishly took that as a precedent….At the weekend I got things wrong. If there was someone to apologise to in person, I would."

Despite the journalist's distress and public apology over the harm he caused, it is unclear what the next steps will be, and whether the broadcaster will face possible penalties following the report.