Bo confronts his ex-police chief

CHINA - In the most dramatic turn of events yet in the trial of Bo Xilai, the disgraced Chinese leader on Saturday confronted the man whose botched defection to a United States consulate led to his downfall.

In court, the former Chongqing party boss grilled Wang Lijun, his former police chief and right-hand man, firing 21 questions at him about the latter's recollection of events leading to China's biggest political scandal in decades.

Wang, 54, revealed that their relations soured after he told Bo on Jan 28 last year that Bo's wife Gu Kailai was a suspect in the death of British businessman Neil Heywood on Nov 15, 2011.

A day later, Bo summoned him for a meeting where he swore "very vulgarly" before punching Wang in his left ear.

"I found the edge of my mouth bleeding and liquid dripping out of my ear. I told him very calmly that he needed to face the matter," Wang recounted.

But, he said, Bo picked up his glass of water and smashed it on the floor, saying he "could not accept it".

He wanted to "inflict more violence" but was blocked by other officials present, Wang said. That bust-up, and pressure exerted on his subordinates into saying that Gu was not responsible for Mr Heywood's death, worried Wang.

"It was very dangerous at that time. I was the victim of violence, and my colleagues and those handling the case had disappeared," said Wang, explaining why he fled to the US consulate in Chengdu city.

He was sentenced to 15 years' jail last September for taking bribes and covering up Gu's offence after a trial that first implicated Bo in the murder saga.

Cross-examining Wang, Bo asked: "Did you think that I forced you away so as to cover up the Nov15 murder?"

Wang replied: "Yes."

Referring to Wang's recollection of their confrontation, Bo refuted Wang's testimony that the sacking was linked to revelations of Gu's alleged murder offence.

Instead, he said he had reassigned Wang for genuine health reasons as the police chief had complained of the pressure he felt in the job.

He also said he could not believe Wang's account that Gu was a suspect in Mr Heywood's murder, because his wife had shown him a Chongqing police report signed by Mr Heywood's wife which said her husband had died of a heart attack caused by drinking.

"In my mind, Gu Kailai is a weak and frail woman, she could not kill someone. And she had a good relationship with Wang Lijun," Bo said.

But he apologised for Wang's defection, saying he was unable to behave coolly at a critical juncture and "made serious errors in judgment", according to a transcript released by the court.

"I have made mistakes and errors. I feel very sorry and I'm willing to take appropriate responsibility, but whether there was a crime or not is another matter," Bo said.

"I did not act illegally to show favouritism and protect Gu Kailai."

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