The family of the Indian origin nurse, who killed herself days after a prank call by two Australian DJs, has slammed the radio station for giving one of the DJs a major award.
Michael Christian has been crowned "Top Jock" during Southern Cross Austereo's "best in the land" competition - despite continuing outrage over the incident.
The spokesman for nurse Jacintha Saldanha's grief-stricken family said it's "ludicrous" the DJ has been recognized, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
British Labour MP Keith Vaz said in a statement on Wednesday that the giving of this award to Michael Christian is distasteful and disgraceful so soon after the tragic death of Saldanha.
He said that it sends out completely the wrong message at the wrong time for the wrong reasons.
Australian Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has described the win as inappropriate considering the circumstances.
More From This Section
However, beyondblue chairman Jeff Kennett said it was outrageous to criticise granting an award based on someone's professional development within a company.
The honour comes six months after Christian and 2Day FM colleague Mel Greig made a prank call to London's King Edward VII Hospital, where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated for severe morning sickness.
The pair were put through to her ward by Saldanha, a 46-year-old mother of two, who took her own life soon after the hoax was widely publicised in the British media.
