We could equally argue that dismissing this collection of facts (not just a theory), makes us a tool in someone else's toolbox as well.

> all the intelligence services in the West who would have been on this like flies

If I was trying to investigate this 'lab accident' theory, the last thing I want would be for the public to believe this.

In a hypothetical scenario of a cover-up that would make those institutions double down on the destruction of evidence. However if they believe the public and other nations are accepting of a 'wet-market' theory then there is a chance that those institution would become complacent and leave behind information crumbles.

edit: to me it's very telling that the US investigation looked at the 'wet-market' theory and the 'bio-engineer weapon' theory and completely ignored over the 'lab-accident' theory despite all the diplomatic cables discussion in the media, about concerns over lab safety and staff training

Source on this? All the mainstream press I’ve read on this in the past two days suggests that the US investigation is centered on the theory of accidental lab release.

Basing on the article which suggest the focus was on a 'created' 'bio-weapon' virus. Rather than just the simpler scenario of a gain-of-function experiment gone bad.