Chinese former police chief sentenced over British murder

A court in China has sentenced a former police chief to 15 years in prison for his part in the murder of a British businessman.

Chinese state media say Wang Lijun admitted trying to conceal the murder of Neil Heywood in November 2001.

It is scandal that has felled the ambitious Chinese politician Bo Kilai.

The former police chief is said to have hidden evidence that Bo’s wife Gu Kilai was behind the murder, which arose from a business dispute.

She has already been given a suspended death sentence for the murder, which effectively means life in prison.

With his wife and Wang Lijun in prison, the governing Communist Party must decide what to do with Bo.

With his wife and Wang Lijun in prison, the governing Communist Party must decide what to do with Bo.

He was suspended from the Politburo in April and has been sacked as party leader.

Controversy of this kind will be unwelcome as the country prepares for a leadership handover, which could come as early as next month.

> Beijing wants Bo Xilai fallout ‘minimised’
> Gu to hear her fate after not contesting murder charge

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