London: Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has thrown his support behind an international investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

An inquiry would focus on China's early cover-up of the pandemic and the World Health Organisation's own role in alerting the world to the health emergency.

Australia and the United States are pushing for an inquiry - Australia wants the WHO's powers beefed up so it can enter affected countries to make objective and first-hand assessments of emerging threats.

Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (on right) has backed calls for an international probe into coronavirus' origins. Credit:AP

Australia's Prime Minister spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel this week.