How baseless fears over 5G rollout created a health scare

Misconceptions about the technology and lack of consultation with local communities may have boosted conspiracy theories

When Tonia Antoniazzi stood up in the House of Commons to talk about the risks of 5G, she admitted that "initiating a conversation " has had members of my own team and family telling me that it is all made up." But the Labour MP was undeterred, securing a debate in parliament and the support of a handful of Labour and SNP colleagues to ask about the "unintended consequences" of the latest upgrade to the nation's mobile phone network.

The government's response - that there was no evidence of any risk, and that it anticipated "no negative effects on public health" - was, Antoniazzi said, "far from reassuring".