Not a 'new proof' - it's never been proved. Also, from a quick google, Atiyah is 89 and has made a couple of other very dodgy claims in the last couple of years. He's more 'a giant' than just 'respected':<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Atiyah" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Atiyah</a>