Gu Kailai, wife of Chinese Communist Party leader Bo Xilai, was arrested for suspected involvement in the murder of the UK businessman Neil Heywood.

Gu is a prominent lawyer and the second wife of the former politburo member Bo Xilai.

She was the first Chinese lawyer to win a civil suit in the US. She was a student of Peking University.

According to Xinhua, Gu and her son were involved in a conflict of interest with Heywood.

Heywood was found dead in a hotel room in Chongqing in November. Inital reports pointed to alcoholic poisoning.

"The existing evidence indicated that Heywood died of homicide. Gu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun, an orderly at Bo's home, are suspected," Xinhua said.

Among the evidence being examined by investigators are reports by Chongqing deputy mayor and former police chief Wang Lijun who sought political asylum at the US consulate in February, according to Reuters.

Wang was working closely with Bo to crack down on organised crime and corruption at government.

Bo has been stripped of his positions as the politburo member and the member of the Central Committee for disciplinary violations. He had already lost his position as party chief of Chongqing.

"Comrade Bo Xilai is suspected of being involved in serious disciplinary violations," Xinhua reported.

Foreign secretary William Hague praised the investigation. "The Chinese are doing as we asked them to do and we look forward to seeing those investigations take place," he said.

Related Articles:

Neil Heywood Murder: Bo Guagua, Son of Bo Xilai and Gu Kailai, Defends 'Playboy' Lifestyle[PHOTO]

Bo Xilai Reportedly Tapped Phone Call To President

Neil Heywood Poison Death: Bo Xilai Wife Gu Kailai 'Confesses' to Businessman's Murder

Bo Xilai Gu Kailai: Briton killed after threat to expose Chinese leader's wife[PHOTOS]

Bo Xilai Wang lijun: China's Bo Backed, Then Blocked Murder Probe Against His Wife[PHOTOS] 

Bo Xilai Gu Kailai: Colleges angle for influential foreign students like Bo Guagua[PHOTO]

Bo Xilai, Gu Kailai: Britain Says Put Pressure on China in Heywood Case

Neil Heywood Poisoned in Money Transfer Row with Gu Kailai

Neil Heywood Killed After Threat to Expose Chinese Bo Xilai's Wife Gu Kailai[Picture]

UK To Raise Heywood Murder With Senior Chinese Official Bo Xilai,Gu Kailai

Gu Kailai And Bo Xilai: Murder, Mayhem, Mystery, And Myth Surround China's Political Power Couple[PHOTOS]

Bo Xilai's Wife Arrested over Neil Heywood Murder[PHOTO]