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China pressed to investigate death of British man tied to ousted Bo Xilai
| Published: | 27 Mar at 4 PM |
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As reported by the Guardian, the United Kingdom has asked China to look into the mysterious death of a UK businessman with links to the family of Bo Xilai, an ousted Chinese leader.
The sudden death of Neil Heywood at a Chongqing hotel last November, which was blamed on alcohol consumption, was shocking to those close to the reportedly heatlhy 41-year-old. Mr Heywood was allegedly not known to be a heavy drinker.
News of an appeal to re-launch the case comes after a high-profile leadership candidate, Bo Xilai, was ousted as party chief from the south-western city.
A spokesman for the British embassy in Beijing stated that they had requested the Chinese authorities to probe Heywood's death when the UK expat community raised some concerns over suspicious circumstances.
While few facts available, the UK’s request has exacerbated speculation about the case – including some suggestions that the authorities may have tried to conceal an accidental death, or even a claim that the businessman could have been poisoned.
The ousting of Mr Bo, who was once thought to join China’s top political body during this autumn's leadership changeover, followed the departure of his former ally, Wang Lijun, to the American embassy in Chengdu last February.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Wang raised some concern about Heywood's mysterious death, and allegedly revealed he had been involved in a business quarrel with Bo's wife.
The sudden death of Neil Heywood at a Chongqing hotel last November, which was blamed on alcohol consumption, was shocking to those close to the reportedly heatlhy 41-year-old. Mr Heywood was allegedly not known to be a heavy drinker.
News of an appeal to re-launch the case comes after a high-profile leadership candidate, Bo Xilai, was ousted as party chief from the south-western city.
A spokesman for the British embassy in Beijing stated that they had requested the Chinese authorities to probe Heywood's death when the UK expat community raised some concerns over suspicious circumstances.
While few facts available, the UK’s request has exacerbated speculation about the case – including some suggestions that the authorities may have tried to conceal an accidental death, or even a claim that the businessman could have been poisoned.
The ousting of Mr Bo, who was once thought to join China’s top political body during this autumn's leadership changeover, followed the departure of his former ally, Wang Lijun, to the American embassy in Chengdu last February.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Wang raised some concern about Heywood's mysterious death, and allegedly revealed he had been involved in a business quarrel with Bo's wife.
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