Former MI6 agent fuels coronavirus conspiracy theory

“I think it will make every country in the world rethink how it treats its relationship with China,” the former MI6 chief said.

By Aaron Sull, World Israel News

A former head of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) threw fuel on a theory that the coronavirus was manufactured in a Chinese laboratory.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph’s Planet Normal podcast on Wednesday, Sir Richard Dearlove cited a research paper that suggests viral elements were “inserted” into the coronavirus’s genetic sequence.

The study’s authors, Professor Angus Dalgleish of St George’s Hospital at the University of London and Norwegian virologist Birger Sorensen, are “two very knowledgeable scientists,” and in addition, the study has been “peer-reviewed extensively, printed in a journal which is most prestigious,” Dearlove said.

Dearlove, who served as the head of MI6 between 1999 and 2004, said that although he believes the deadly virus was released accidentally, the Chinese government should pay reparations for the economic upheaval it has caused.

“I do think that this started as an accident. It raises the issue if China ever were to admit responsibility, does it pay reparations?” the 75-year old said.

“I think it will make every country in the world rethink how it treats its relationship with China and how the international community behaves towards the Chinese leadership,” he said.

In response to Dearlove’s claims, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a statement saying, “We’ve seen no evidence the virus is man-made.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock also dismissed Dearlove’s claims, saying there is “no evidence” to back the lab-grown theory.

The lab-grown conspiracy theory has been around since the pandemic broke out last December and has been further been amplified by U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who repeatedly said they suspect the virus was somehow released from a Chinese laboratory.

For its part, China has vehemently denied the accusations, claiming they are “politically motivated.”

Most scientists believe the pathogen was passed from bats to humans via an intermediary species likely sold at a wet market in Wuhan late last year.