China’s Communist party formally dismissed Bo Xilai, one of its most powerful leaders, from his positions atop the ruling hierarchy and arrested his wife on suspicion of murdering British businessman Neil Heywood.
In a one-line statement, state media announced yesterday that Mr Bo had been suspended from the 25-member politburo, the second-highest decision-making body in China, because of “suspected serious violations of discipline”.
In what amounted to a formal government announcement, state media also said Mr Bo’s wife, Gu Kailai, and a Bo family servant had been “transferred to judicial authorities” on suspicion of having murdered Mr Heywood, who was found dead in a hotel room in Chongqing on November 15.