China fires top leadership contender from post

His abrupt downfall, announced last night by the official government Xinhua news agency, threatens to rekindle tensions between Bo Xilai supporters, who favour a more traditional, state-dominated version of socialism, and liberal critics, who saw him as a dangerous opportunist.

Bo was removed as party boss of Chongqing, described as a sprawling urban region in the southwest of the country that he reportedly managed to transform into a bastion of Communist revolutionary-inspired "red" culture and egalitarian growth.

Bo Xilai earned himself  rebuked by Premier Wen Jiabao in a news conference broadcast across the country.

The telegenic Bo had been a strong contender for top leadership, but his career prospects came under intense speculation after Vice Mayor Wang Lijun, his long-time police chief, went to ground in February in the U.S. consulate in nearby Chengdu until he was coaxed out and placed under investigation.

In a separate statement, Xinhua said Wang had also been removed from his post. It gave no other details.