TV host Eamonn Holmes has sparked an outcry over comments he made about a false claim linking 5G technology and coronavirus.
The baseless conspiracy theory, which is being spread on social media, has been linked to a number of suspected arson attacks on mobile phone masts in the UK.
On his programme, ITV's This Morning, Holmes said that while he agrees with the description of the conspiracy theory as "ridiculous", it's "very easy to say it is not true because it suits the state narrative”.
It comes after the UK government had deemed it "a crackpot conspiracy theory". Scientists have called the rumours that there is a link between 5G and coronavirus "complete rubbish" and a biological impossibility.
However, that has not stopped false claims being shared on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Tik Tok.
Some posts have now been removed, but in recent weeks the conspiracy theory has been shared by verified accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers.
ITV is yet to comment on Holmes’ remarks.
In response to the comments, the government reiterated that those attacking phone masts or abusing telecoms engineers would face “the full force of the law”.
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