UK, Aust PMs urge virus outbreak probe

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has discussed the need for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus outbreak with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison, Downing Street said on Thursday.

"The leaders discussed the coronavirus pandemic and agreed on the need for an independent investigation through the World Health Organization into the origins of the outbreak," a spokeswoman for Johnson's office said in a statement.

"They committed to coordinate closely on this issue in the weeks and months ahead."