The World Health Organisation's (WHO) actions during the coronavirus pandemic led to “dead Britons”, US State Secretary Mike Pompeo told lawmakers during a trip to London, AFP reported.

Pompeo told a private meeting of MPs that the WHO had become a “political” body, alleging that its decisions were influenced by a deal struck between chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and China that helped him become its head, according to quotes in the Times and Daily Telegraph.

“When push came to shove, when it really mattered most”, people died “because of the deal that was made”, he said.