WHO report that put Chinese lab in clear is criticised... by WHO chief

THE head of the World Health Organisation last night appeared to dismiss the findings of his own agency’s report into the origins of coronavirus.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus admitted it was ‘not extensive enough’ and suggested China had hampered investigations by withholding key data.

His comments prompted the UK and 13 allies to express ‘concerns’ and demand that experts are given ‘full access’ to get to the bottom of the issue.

A WHO-backed team spent four weeks in Wuhan, China, in January and February trying to trace the source of the outbreak.

The team concluded it was ‘extremely unlikely’ that the pathogen was leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. But Mr Ghebreyesus said the matter required further investigation – potentially with additional missions to China.

He said: ‘I do not believe that this assessment was extensive enough.

‘Further data and studies will be needed to reach more robust conclusions.’

Researchers have previously revealed they were denied access to raw data on early cases of Covid. The WHO chief added: ‘In my discussions with the team, they expressed the difficulties they encountered in accessing raw data. I expect future collaborative studies to include more timely and comprehensive data sharing.’

A statement backed by the UK, US and others said: ‘We join in expressing shared concerns regarding the recent WHO-convened study in China.

‘The international expert study on the source of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was significantly delayed and lacked access to complete, original data and samples.’ The virology institute studies some of the most dangerous diseases and previously conducted extensive research into the links between bats and disease outbreaks.

Investigators said the most likely origin of Covid was transmission from bats to humans through an unidentified animal, while the least likely was a leak from the Wuhan lab.