By Zhao Manfeng | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2020-12-31 16:30 Share CLOSE A new variant of the COVID-19 is believed to have originated in southeast England, according to the World Health Organization. This information was widely cited by mainstream media. However, this left Roger Helmer, a former member of th e UK Independence party (Ukip) , unable to sit still. In a tweet on Dec 28, he asked not to call the new variant virus "originated in the UK" but only "identified in the UK." This plea immediately backfired, as netizens dug up Helmer's comments deeming the novel coronavirus a "Chinese virus", showing his employment of double standards.