UPDATE: Ofcom assessing This Morning “as a priority” following Eamonn Holmes’ comments about 5G and coronavirus
Eamonn Holmes is facing a backlash online after appearing to support a theory that 5G is responsible for the spread of coronavirus.
During Monday’s edition of This Morning, Eamonn and co-host Ruth Langsford spoke to Alice Beer via video-link about the spread of
fake news while the
UK is on lockdown.
As they discussed the conspiracy theory relating to 5G, Alice told the pair: “This rumour has been spread so far and wide, and has been so convincing to so many people that there’s been some 30 acts of vandalism and arson around the UK damaging essential telephone equipment, which is just worrying.
“This infrastructure is so needed at the moment... [and people are] going around and damaging it because of some rumour that is circulating is not true and it is very stupid.”
However, despite the independent fact-checking organisation Full Fact insisting there were no truth to the claims, Eamonn interjected, saying: “The only thing I’d take… I totally agree with everything 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.” Eamonn continued: “No one should attack or damage or do anything like that, but it’s very easy to say it is not true because it suits the state narrative. That’s all I would say as someone with an inquiring mind.”
His comments quickly came under
fire on
Social Media, with many suggesting it was irresponsible for Eamonn to use his platform on This Morning to speak in defence of the 5G theory.
Many also suggested ITV should reprimand the host for his remarks, while others took issue with his lambasting of the “mainstream media” while presenting on one of the most-watched daytime shows in the UK… If you didn't see #ThisMorning today, Eamonn Holmes suggested he believes that 5G may be to blame for
Coronavirus & doesn't think you should listen to the "mainstream media" & "state narrative", NOBODY ACKNOWLEDGED WHAT JUST HAPPENED then Alison Hammond baked some banana bread.— Mark Grimshaw (@markgrimshaw16) April 13, 2020A bit of light reading for Eamonn Holmes. pic.twitter.com/IYgQAQAJDz— Matt Capon (@MattLCapon) April 13, 2020This is insane and wholly irresponsible of Eammon, ITV, and Ruth for not stopping him. Our medical experts have confirmed this is not true. Our government has confirmed this is not true. Independent fact-checkers have confirmed this is not true. https://t.co/IQ8kTDqaQr— David Chipakupaku says STAY INSIDE YA BAM (@David_Chippa) April 13, 2020actually speechless at this. another high profile idiot pushing dangerous nonsense to an audience of millions. https://t.co/CCNhkYXz7a— Dan Hett (@danhett) April 13, 2020Hey @ITV, will you do anything about the fact that Eamonn Holmes just implied that the 5G conspiracy nonsense is a legitimate concern? It’s pure bobbins pedalled by nut jobs and shouldn’t get airtime.— Jim Irving (@thejimirving) April 13, 2020He should face discipline for this. https://t.co/MGScZNWSkB— ma rc us (@marcusjdl) April 13, 2020This is insane and I don't see how ITV let him keep going after this https://t.co/xtyMN3D3aT— Sarah Manavis (@sarahmanavis) April 13, 2020The wildest part of this - and there’s a lot of wildness to parse - is that Eamonn Holmes talks about the “mainstream media” as if he’s not a presenter on ITV’s This Morning show. https://t.co/MAsoqUhjC7— Tom Is Fine (@MajorTomSavage) April 13, 2020Imagine being Eamonn Holmes, presenting your own show on ITV, talking about “mainstream media”. https://t.co/AzwAf6QRbM— Martin (@MrBaileyM) April 13, 2020Good to see Eamonn Holmes criticising the mainstream media from the underground guerilla bunker of This Morning. Fight the power Eamonn.— Stuart Heritage (@stuheritage) April 13, 2020Eamonn Holmes saying it can’t be proved that 5G doesn’t cause coronavirus (it can) and blaming the mainstream media for a cover up while on one of the most mainstream shows on television. Jesus wept. https://t.co/sO8wnGcse8— Emma Kelly (@TooManyEmmas) April 13, 2020Hitting back at one
Twitter user who accused him of “spread[ing] the baseless 5G/Coronavirus conspiracy theory”, Eamonng responded: “I didn’t spread it.... I reserve the right to listen and question.”I didn't spread it.... I reserve the right to listen and question.— Eamonn Holmes (@EamonnHolmes) April 13, 2020HuffPost UK has contacted ITV for comment.
Amanda Holden previously found herself at the centre of a similar controversy when a link to a petition suggesting 5G is linked to coronavirus appeared on her Twitter page earlier this month.
However, she insisted she had accidentally tweeted the link, and does not believe in 5G conspiracy theories.
“Amanda was sadly emailed a petition suggesting 5G is linked to coronavirus, did not know she’d accidentally tweeted a link to it, and does not believe in 5G conspiracies,” her rep said.
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