THE family of the teenager murdered in the Western Isles yesterday said a television programme that made light of their tragedy had been offensive and had insulted the entire island community.

Matthew Wright, the presenter of Channel 5's The Wright Stuff, apologised for making fun of the inquiry into 16-year-old Liam Aitchison's killing on Lewis, on his talk show yesterday.

During a newspaper review, Wright discussed the inquiry into the murder of 16-year-old Liam.

On being told, wrongly, it was the first murder inquiry on the island in 43 years he assumed a Scottish accent to deliver the phrase – "there's been another murder", widely associated the famous Taggart crime series.

Panel member Charlie Baker then described it as "the longest ever episode of Taggart" at which Wright laughed loudly.

Later on the show, Wright said he wanted to apologise and that he had not intended to belittle the tragedy. He added that it was "not helped, though, by people running campaigns 'Report Matthew Wright to Ofcom'. I mean grow up folks".

But the tone of Wright's apology has caused further anger and there are now calls for him to be taken off air. He is the subject of official representations to the media regulator Ofcom following the comments

In a statement, the Aitchison family said: "We are very disappointed at the insensitive and offensive nature of the comments made on the Channel 5 programme The Wright Stuff. This is very upsetting and insulting for not just the family, but for the whole community of the Western Isles."

They pleaded with the public to help find those responsible for killing Liam. "If anyone has any information, please come forward."

Police from the mainland have travelled to Lewis to help with the inquiry after the youngster's body was found in an empty former RAF building in the Steinish area last week.

Detective Chief Inspector Kenny Anderson said the response from the community had been positive, but more information was needed.

He said: "We wish to trace witnesses who may have seen three people wearing hooded-type tops who were seen walking in the Steinish village area shortly after midnight on Tuesday 22 into the early hours of Wednesday, November 23."

Mr Aitchison was from South Uist but had been living on Lewis for a few months. He was last seen in Stornoway at around 9pm in the Anderson Road area on Tuesday, November 22.

A spokeswoman said: "Channel 5 and the producers of The Wright Stuff have reviewed the comments made in yesterday's programme. Matthew has apologised, making it clear there was no intention to 'belittle the seriousness of a tragic story, or offend anyone who knew Liam'."

Western Isles Council leader Angus Campbell said : "The council and the local community find it offensive that people on a TV show joke about a young boy's death. Our thoughts remain with Liam's family and friends who are suffering during this very difficult time. His tragic death should not be a subject for jokes and we will be raising the matter with Channel 5 and Ofcom."

Local MP Angus MacNeil said: "To see Matthew Wright making jokes about the tragedy and behaving as he did is beyond belief, and has disgusted everyone who saw the programme."

In 1968, Mary Mackenzie, 80, was found dead in her cottage on the Brue, Lewis. A man was charged with her murder but the case was not proven.

Also, in 2006, a murder inquiry was launched into the death of Murdo Macdonald but the charge was reduced to serious assault when it reached court.