Britain raises doubts on Neil Heywood death four times

As reported by the Telegraph, the British Foreign Office expressed concerns surrounding the death of UK businessman Neil Heywood to China’s authorities on four occasions during a period of seven weeks before its investigation was announced.

The Foreign Secretary sent out a written statement saying he had hoped the inquiry on the death would "ensure justice”. He also revealed that a thorough investigation had been requested three times.

David Cameron brought up Mr Heywood’s case at a meeting with Li Changchun, a visiting Chinese Politburo member. A spokesman had said beforehand that the Prime Minister would accept the launch of an investigation, stressing that Britain needed to see an investigation which involved due process.

Gu Kailai, wife of ex Communist Party leader Bo Xilai, has been detained on suspicion of demanding the murder of Mr Heywood, 41, in his Chongqing hotel last November.

In a statement, the Foreign Secretary tried to avert accusations that his Foreign Office had been too slow to react to Mr Heywood’s case. He stated that “urgent representations” had first been made to Beijing on 15 February.

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