Neil Heywood News

This footage released by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV shows Gu Kailai in court as the verdict in her trial for the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood is announced.

During the hearing, Gu briefly addressed the court and said: "This verdict is just. It shows special respect for the law, reality and life".

• World
• china
• Neil Heywood

Chinese state news agency Xinhua.net has quoted Gu Kailai as saying in her final statement:

This case has been like a huge stone weighing on me for more than half a year. What a nightmare.

During those days last November, I suffered a mental breakdown after learning that my son was in jeopardy. The tragedy which was created by me was not only extended to Neil, but also to several families.

The case has produced great losses to the Party and the country, for which I ought to shoulder the responsibility, and I will never feel at ease. I am grateful to the humanitarian care shown to me by those who handled the case.

I solemnly tell the court that in order to maintain the dignity of the law, I will accept and calmly face any sentence and I also expect a fair and just court decision.

• World
• china
• Neil Heywood

• World
• china
• Neil Heywood

Speaking after Gu Kailai's sentence, court official Tang Yigan said that Gu and family aide, Zhang Xiaojun, had told the court they would not appeal their sentences.

Tang said Gu told the court that the verdict was "fair and it shows special respect for the law, reality and life."

He also said that the court had considered Gu's testimony against others, her confession and repentance, and her "psychological impairment" as mitigating factors in sentencing.

But he said it rejected claims that Heywood's threats had prompted the crime, saying there was no evidence he intended to make good on them.

• World
• china
• Neil Heywood

Four policemen accused of covering up Neil Heywood's murder have been given prison sentences, ranging from five to 11 years.

Former deputy Chongqing police chief Guo Weiguo and leading officer Li Yang were sentenced to 11 years.

Officers Wang Pengfei and Wang Zhi were given five years each.

• World
• china
• Neil Heywood

A suspended death sentence for Gu Kailai effectively means that even after she is released from jail her public life is over.

It is also unlikely that her once powerful husband Bo Xilai will ever be seen in public again either.

• World
• China
• Neil Heywood

Britain's embassy in China has welcomed the ruling that Gu Kailai has been convicted, but spared execution for murdering British businessman Neil Heywood. The embassy said it:

"Welcomed the fact that the Chinese authorities have investigated the death of Neil Heywood, and tried those they identified as responsible.

An embassy spokesman also said Britain had:

"Consistently made clear to the Chinese authorities that we wanted to see the trials in this case conform to international human rights standards and for the death penalty not to be applied.

• World
• china
• Neil Heywood

A Chinese court has given Gu Kailai, the wife of ousted politician Bo Xilai, a suspended death sentence after finding her guilty of the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood.

Gu admitted poisoning Neil Heywood in November. She alleged that a business dispute between them led him to threaten her son, Bo Guagua. The sentence means that she is likely to face life in jail.

• World
• china
• Neil Heywood