Wife of Chinese politician suspected over Brit 'murder'

Bo Xilai was the high flying populist Party boss who ran China's biggest municipality: Chongqing.

He was tipped for a seat on the Standing Commitee of the Politburo, China's ruling body.

He was friends with Neil Heywood a young British businessman who worked in due diligence corporate investigations. I understand he worked from time to time for Hakluyt, a secretive, legitimate company set up a former MI6 officer which investigates companies on behalf of business clients.

It's rare for foreigners to get close to high ranking Party officials.

Heywood was an old Harrovian, Bo's son got into Harrow with his help. Bo was also friendly with Peter Mandelson.

Heywood was found dead in Chongqing last November. His body cremated without a post mortem. His family didn't object. The official police report said he died from excess alcohol consumption.

The City's police chief, Bo's right hand man, then turned up at the US Consulate in Chengdu, 200 miles away on February 6. He sought asylum. He'd contacted the UK consulate at first but didn't turn up to a meeting. While with the US diplomats Chinese state media now reports he accused Bo's wife and of killing Heywood.

In early February the UK Embassy asks China to investigate Heywood's death. It seems the US diplomats passed on the police chief's suspicions and accusations to their UK counterparts. I hear that William Hague was briefed at the time.

Neil Heywood's friend tells me Bo did fall out with Mr Heywood some time before his death. Heywood told his friend that someone close to Bo was briefing against him; jealous of the British man's influence on Bo. Mr Heywood said he'd even considered leaving the country at the time.

China's state news agency says there was some kind of business dispute between Mr Heywood and Bo's family.

The police chief seeking asylum left the consulate and was taken into government custody, he hasn't been seen since. It now appears his accusations have been taken seriously by the Chinese authorities who have formed a team to investigate Mr Bo's wife and a family employee. Bo was sacked as Chongqing party chief in March.

A huge scandal which got lots of comments on social media. Today, according to Reuters, he is suspended from all senior party ranks. However he is still referred to as comrade which suggests he is still allowed to retain his Party membership.

The investigation continues. The Foreign Office says it has seen the reports about Neil Heywood but is not speculating or commenting at this time.

David Cameron, on a tour of Asia, is also expected to give his reaction to reporters travelling with the Prime Minister's group.