US not certain virus came from lab: Pompeo

May 06, 2020 23:56

The US does not have certainty regarding the origin of the novel coronavirus, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has told reporters.

"We don't have certainty and there is significant evidence that it came from a laboratory," he said. "Those statements can both be true. I've made them both."

On Sunday, Pompeo said he had seen "enormous evidence" the virus came from a Wuhan laboratory, prompting China to ask him to reveal the evidence behind his claim.

The intelligence community has said the virus was not manmade or genetically modified, though they are looking into its origins. On Tuesday, the Pentagon said it had no conclusive evidence Covid-19 was intentionally released.

In response to a question from the BBC's Barbara Plett Usher on his assertions about the virus' origins, Pompeo said there was "no separation" in the answers from different US officials.

"We're all trying to get clarity."

Barbara Plett Usher says Pompeo's comments are "the latest salvo in what's been a torrent of criticism from the Trump administration".

"Other countries have criticised Chinese behaviour and some are demanding accountability," she notes. "But critics believe the Trump administration is also trying to deflect attention from its own slow response to the virus by hitting Beijing so hard."

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