https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/who-investigator-who-dismissed-covid-lab-leak-theory-fired-for-sexual-misconduct/ar-AA1aHPqi?ocid

New York Post

WHO investigator who dismissed COVID lab-leak theory fired for sexual misconduct

Story by David Propper • Yesterday 7:19 PM

Atop World Health Organization scientist who led an investigative team that dismissed the COVID lab-leak theory was fired over sexual misconduct allegations.

Prominent COVID investigator Peter Ben Embarek was canned “last year following findings of sexual misconduct against him that were substantiated by investigations, and corresponding disciplinary process,” the WHO statement said in a statement to The Post.

“Due process was followed and his name was entered into the UN ClearCheck screening database to prevent the hiring or re-hiring of perpetrators by UN agencies.”

The cases that led to his ouster were from 2015 and 2017, and the WHO became aware of the accusations in 2018, WHO spokesperson Marcia Poole told Reuters, without providing further details.

Ben Embarek told Reuters the 2017 incident “was settled immediately in a friendly way” and added that he contested the accusations of harassment and was fighting the sanctions.

He declined to comment further because he and WHO were bound by confidentiality agreements until a resolution is reached.

“I am not aware of any other complaints and no other complaints have ever been brought to my attention,” Ben Embarek said in a message.

“I duly contest the qualification of harassment and I am quite hopeful in the defense of my rights.”