A Danish Scientist who spearheaded the World Health Organization’s COVID origins investigation and ruled that a lab leak was “extremely unlikely” has been fired over multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.
The Financial Times reported last week that allegations against Peter Ben Embarek dating back to 2015 and 2017 first came to their attention in 2018, as the agency has been dealing with a ‘significant backlog of reports.’
“Peter Ben Embarek was dismissed following findings of sexual misconduct against him that were substantiated by investigations into allegations received in 2015 and 2017, and [the] corresponding disciplinary process,” said the health body, adding that other allegations against Ben Embarek could not be “fully investigated” because the alleged victim or victims declined to “engage with the investigation process,” adding “Consequently no disciplinary action could be taken.”