Dr Anthony Fauci, the former top U.S. health official, refused to answer questions from a Senate committee on Wednesday regarding the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He invoked the Fifth Amendment, declining to offer testimony amidst concerns that Republican lawmakers could seek to use his statements for a perjury prosecution.

The move escalates a long-running clash between Dr Fauci and Republican members of Congress, who have consistently scrutinised his handling of the U.S. pandemic response.

Dr Anthony Fauci refused to answer questions from a Senate committee on Wednesday regarding the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Republicans Seek Scrutiny

According to the BBC, Dr Fauci feared that Republicans would attempt to "trip him up" during his testimony, leveraging his words to pursue charges of perjury.

His refusal to engage with the committee's questions effectively blocked efforts by some senators to expose what they perceive as failings in the official response to the global health crisis.

Dr Fauci served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for decades, becoming a prominent figure in the U.S. response to COVID-19 under both the Trump and Biden administrations.

Congressional Probes Continue

Wednesday's hearing represents a renewed push by certain congressional factions to investigate the genesis of the virus and the decision-making processes of leading health officials.

While Dr Fauci's invocation of the Fifth Amendment protects him from self-incrimination, it is expected to further fuel political debate and Republican demands for greater accountability regarding the pandemic.

The committee did not immediately indicate its next steps following Dr Fauci's refusal to testify.