Coronavirus: Ofcom to review 'This Morning' ‘as a priority’ after Eamonn Holmes’s 5G conspiracy comment triggers 417 complaints

ITV presenter apologises after saying ‘it’s very easy’ to dismiss conspiracy theory as ‘it suits the state narrative’

Ofcom has announced it is reviewing ITV’s This Morning programme, “as a priority”, after presenter Eamonn Holmes repeated a widely debunked conspiracy theory regarding 5G and coronavirus.

The presenter said it was “very easy” to dismiss the conspiracy theory, that claims a link between the technology and Covid-19, “because it suits the state narrative”.

The UK’s broadcast and telecommunications regulator said it had already received 419 complaints in the wake of Holmes’s remarks.

“We are assessing this programme, in full, as a priority,” a spokesperson said on Tuesday. Ofcom confirmed they were reviewing “whether or not to launch a formal investigation”, and were "prioritising coronavirus-related assessments/cases”.

After journalist Alice Beer described the 5G conspiracy as “ridiculous” during Monday’s programme, Holmes replied: “I totally agree with what you’re saying, but what I don’t accept is mainstream media immediately slapping that down as not true when they don’t know it’s not true. No one should attack or damage or do anything like that, but it’s very easy to say it’s not true because it suits the state narrative. That’s all I would say, as someone with an enquiring mind.”

Holmes later sought to clarify his comments, saying he was “misinterpreted”, adding: “There is no connection between the present national health emergency and 5G and to suggest otherwise could be wrong and indeed, it could be possibly dangerous.”

Boris Johnson’s official spokesman declined to comment on Holmes’s remarks but described theories linking 5G to coronavirus as “complete nonsense”.

“I have said in the past that the claims are complete nonsense and we have been working with social media companies to ensure that these entirely bogus claims are not circulated,” the spokesman said.

Versions of the 5G conspiracy theory have been spreading online for years, with some proponents claiming the coronavirus outbreak is just the latest in a string of pandemics induced by electromagnetic waves.

The theory has been repeatedly disproved by scientists, with one microbiology professor recently describing it as ”both a physical and biological impossibility”.

This has not stopped the baseless claims being shared by high-profile figures such as actor Woody Harrelson and TV presenter Amanda Holden.

The rumours have fuelled attacks on wireless towers and other telecommunications boxes across the UK, as well as the harassment of technicians. Downing Street said vandals were “putting lives at risk” and condemned the “crazed conspiracy theory”.

The telecoms industry has also been forced to respond to the growing threat to both workers and infrastructure.

UK networks EE, O2, Three and Vodafone issued a joint statement condemning the “baseless claims” as “harmful for the people and businesses that rely on the continuity of our services”, while cabinet ministers referred to theory as “dangerous nonsense”.

Ofcom has warned broadcasters that they face sanctions if they spread misinformation about coronavirus, and censured a Sussex radio station for airing conspiracy theories about 5G.

The media regulator launched a formal investigation into an interview with David Icke on regional TV station London Live last week in which the infamous conspiracist suggested the coronavirus pandemic was part of a government plot to conduct mass surveillance.

The Independent has approached ITV for comment.