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Mark Steele (conspiracy theorist)

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Not to be confused with Mark Steel.
Mark Steele
Mark Steele addressing a crowd at Trafalgar Square in London on 19 September 2020
Born1960[1]
Gateshead
NationalityBritish
OccupationConspiracy theorist
Political partySave Us Now
MovementConspiracism
Criminal chargesUnlawful wounding, Possession of a firearm with an intent to endanger life, Illegal possession of ammunition
Criminal penalty8 years
Criminal statusReleased
Websitehttps://www.saveusnow.org.uk/

Mark Steele (born 1960)[1] is a British conspiracy theorist, best known for his videos alleging that 5G, WiFi and other communication networks are part of a distributed weapon system.[2] He lives in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England, which is the focus of much of his activism. Steele describes himself as a "Weapons Expert", claiming to have worked on undisclosed projects for the Ministry of Defence.[3] According to his Facebook profile, Steele has a degree in psychology and social sciences from The Open University.[4]

Promotion of conspiracy theories

5G conspiracy theory

Steele claims that 5G networks are a deadly technology which have killed over 400 people.[1] According to Steele, the 5G telephone network is part of a distributed "Kill Grid" which includes other street-furniture such as lamp-posts.[5] He has repeated claims first disseminated by David Icke, that 5G networks are the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2018, Steele addressed the Democrats and Veterans Party, on the subject of 5G Networks. The video of his speech was widely shared on YouTube.[6][7] In 2019, he spoke at the "5G Apocalypse event", organised by "Bali-based New Age influencer Sacha Stone".[8] BuzzFeed News and Vice News have reported that Steele and Stone used such events as well as legal defence funds to make money from their followers.[8][1]

According to Steele, children are being “microwaved in their beds“ by 5G.[9]

Gateshead council trial

Steele's activism has focused on Gateshead council,[10] who he claims are "secretly trialling the technology, causing cancer and microwaving babies in their beds".[11] Steele has also described Gateshead councillors as “baby killers”.[12]

In 2016, Steele began investigating newly installed street-lighting when a neighbour complained that it was causing nosebleeds. Steele became convinced that the street-lights contained 5g technology.[13] Steele claims that the installation of 5G equipment in Gateshead has destroyed the local sparrow population.[4]

Gateshead council issued a statement that, contrary to Steele's claims, street-lighting does not cause cancer.[14][8] Steele's claims were publicised by the Daily Mail, causing the story to go viral online.[7]

In October of 2018, Steele won a court case overturning a July 2018 "gagging order", which had previously prevented him from blogging his claims on his personal website,[15][16] but was placed under an injunction to stop him harassing council staff and councillors.[17][8][15] However, later in October, Steele was convicted of having made threats against members of Gateshead council in April.[11][18]

COVID-19 denialism

See also: Misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic

Steele has promoted conspiracy theories and misinformation linking the launch of 5G Networks in Wuhan, China to the COVID-19 pandemic. Steele describes 5G as "genocide" carried by "the deep state".[19] When asked about links between 5G and coronavirus, Steele told The New York Times: "It's looking a bit suspicious, don't you think?"[20]

In May 2020, Twitter began labelling his posts about 5G and the pandemic as "misinformation".[21]

In September 2020, he spoke at an anti-lockdown rally in Glasgow.[22][23]

On 19 September, Steele claimed that he has “raised tens of thousands” for the anti-mask and anti-lockdown causes, without any evidence to support his claim.[24]

Steele and fellow anti-vaccine campaigner and conspiracy theorist Kate Shemirani have been described as "controlled opposition" by supporters of David Icke and Piers Corbyn, both of whom have distanced themselves from a 19 September 2020 protest.[25]

Shooting conviction

In 1993, Steele was convicted of the accidental shooting of a teenage girl, who had been hit by a shot from a hand-gun fired by Steele during an argument outside the Redskins Pub, Washington, Tyne and Wear. Steele, who was working as a bouncer at the pub, claimed that he was concerned about his safety and brandished the weapon out of "bravado". In court, Steele admitted to unlawful wounding, possession of a firearm with an intent to endanger life and illegal possession of ammunition. Steele was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment. The bullet entered the victim's skull and she was left with serious disabilities.[1][3][26]

Personal life

In 2019, he was photographed with a member of the English Defence League (EDL).[24]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Large, Megan Lily (8 April 2020). "My Dad Got Hoaxed By the Anti-5G Conspiracy Movement". VICE. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  2. ^ Cellan-Jones, Rory (15 May 2020). "Glastonbury 5G report 'hijacked by conspiracy theorists'". BBC News. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b Brady, Jon (8 June 2020). "Investigation: A burning phone mast in Dundee and the 5G conspiracy theory groups on Facebook". The Courier. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  4. ^ a b Mance, Henry (14 April 2018). "Why conspiracy theories are everywhere". Financial Times.
  5. ^ Isobel Cockrell (20 March 2020). "Coronavirus has conspiracy theorists and anti-5G campaigners working overtime". Coda.
  6. ^ Ryan Broderick (3 April 2020). "A Conspiracy Theory That 5G Is Causing The Coronavirus Is Spreading Alongside The Pandemic". Buzzfeed News.
  7. ^ a b Pope, Maria (29 April 2020). "Why Do People Think 5G Causes Coronavirus?". VICE. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d Broderick, Ryan (7 April 2020). "5G Conspiracy Theorists Use Coronavirus Fears To Make Money". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Children are being 'microwaved in their beds' by 5G transmitters, campaigner tells court". Evening Chronicle. 1 September 2018.
  10. ^ Burgess, Kaya (10 April 2018). "'The street lights will not give you cancer': Gateshead council tells conspiracy theorist to lighten up". The Times. Retrieved 9 September 2020. (subscription required)
  11. ^ a b Kathryn Riddell (24 September 2018). "5G campaigner on trial RECAP: All updates as Mark Steele convicted of threatening Gateshead councillors". Chronicle Live.
  12. ^ "Man who thinks street lights cause cancer called Gateshead councillors 'baby killers'". Evening Chronicle. 23 October 2018.
  13. ^ Pope, Maria (29 April 2020). "How Britain Fell for the 5G Conspiracy Theory". Vice.
  14. ^ Knight, Chris (9 April 2018). "Council responds to 'Government' conspiracy fears". Chronicle Live.
  15. ^ a b Johnson, Ian (12 October 2018). "WW1 soldiers and 'baby killers': 5G row makes it to court". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  16. ^ Johnson, Ian (8 October 2018). "Man who thinks street lights cause cancer called Gateshead councillors 'baby killers'". Chronicle Live.
  17. ^ "Injunction obtained against Gateshead resident". Gateshead Council. 12 October 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  18. ^ Doughty, Sophie (1 January 2019). "Five courtroom dramas that had readers gripped in 2018". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  19. ^ Lytvynenko, Jane; Broderick, Ryan; Silverman, Craig (21 May 2020). "These Are The Fake Experts Pushing Pseudoscience And Conspiracy Theories About The Coronavirus Pandemic". Buzzfeed News.
  20. ^ Satariano, Adam; Alba, Davey (11 April 2020). "Burning Cell Towers, Out of Baseless Fear They Spread the Virus". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  21. ^ "Coronavirus: MPs demand answers on misinformation". BBC News. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  22. ^ Hebditch, Jon (6 September 2020). "Anti-lockdown protesters gather in Glasgow Green over Covid-19 restrictions". Daily Record. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  23. ^ "Glasgow coronavirus: Anti-lockdown protesters take to Glasgow Green". Evening Glasgow Times. 6 September 2020.
  24. ^ a b Raw, Louise (23 September 2020). "Anti-lockdown leaders want you to think they're leading a spontaneous people's movement – it's anything but that". The Independent. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  25. ^ Kennedy, Dominic; Ellis, Rosa (11 September 2020). "Piers Corbyn blamed for split among coronavirus deniers". The Times. Retrieved 21 September 2020. (subscription required)
  26. ^ Hillary Clixby (22 February 1994). "Doorman jailed for shooting girl in head". Newcastle Journal – via British Newspaper Archive.
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