China's 'dangerous' virus research could lead to another pandemic unless it's held to account, it has been claimed.
Australian journalist Sharri Markson has been investigating the origins of Covid-19 for 18 months and firmly believes the devastating virus came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), though there is currently no definitive evidence to prove that.
The facility - close by to the original epicentre - is considered a leading authority on coronaviruses and is said to be still carrying out risky 'Frankenvirus' experiments.
In her new book What really happened in Wuhan , Ms Markson lays out her argument for an "ongoing" cover up despite supposed evidence of genetic clues within the virus itself linking it back to the WIV labs.
She also claims there was much suspicious activity at WIV in the months before China admitted there was an issue.
Ms Markson is convinced it is "beyond doubt" Covid-19 came from a leak there.
She told the Sun: "There is not one single thing that is a smoking gun - but when you put all the evidence together it is beyond doubt there was an incident at WIV and the Chinese authorities stepped in to cover it up.
"To prevent another pandemic, we absolutely need to know how this started.
"And the fact is there has been dangerous biological research undertaken in labs in China which are not up to the same standards as Australian, British and American labs and where there is no oversight," she added.
The journalist went on to accuse western powers of appeasing China in its alleged cover up.
Ms Markson said the debate over the origin of the virus became too "politicised" in the US while WHO failed to act quickly enough.
As a result of her investigation she has been labelled a conspiracy theorist by many and even targeted personally by Chinese state media.
Reports there claim she is simply encouraging an "anti-China" sentiment and accuse her of being a "bugler for lies", as well as part of a "misinformation campaign".
But Ms Markson has not been put off, partly inspired by grandmother Stella, who died from the virus.
Her book features interviews with scientists, officials and whistleblowers to build her case for a lab leak.
Prior to 2021 any suggestion of Covid having been started in a lab were roundly dismissed by the majority of officials.
But the US intelligence community is now very much divided on whether it came from WIV.
China denies such allegations, as well any suggestion of mishandling relating to the start of the outbreak, while even previously trying to suggest it instead came from a US lab.
Ms Markson believes the country will "never" admit to what happened but is concerned as to why no formal inquiry has been launched in the West.
She said it is likely there has been no such pressure from the US or the UK partly because "it is too difficult to even comprehend".
While the WHO "did not have the courage" to stand up to China and instead was just "reinforcing the Communist Party's lies".
