Bo Xilai & Heywood - DAILY UPDATES

Neil Heywood

Patrick Devilliers, a friend of Neil Heywood a British man that was found dead in Chongqing last year, has been found in Cambodia. The Chinese government wanted him extradited from Cambodia, the French government have warned the Cambodians not to do so without evidence. 
The Cambodian government has told China that Patrick will not be extradited anywhere without compelling evidence.BBC, Cambodia holds on to French suspect.


Patrick Devilliers is thought to be connected to the Bo Xilai scandal which "gravely damaged China's reputation". Though it is not known how Mr Devilliers is involved, his close relationship to Gu Xilai is  being investigated. 

Daniel Craig as 007

Speculations as to why Mr Heywood was murdered continue. See a shortened version of popular theories published by The Independent.Heywood murder theories.

1. Passion and betrayal theory? Heywood was involved in a romantic relationship with Bo Xilai's wife Gu whilst working as business partner.
2. Blackmail? The Chinese "authorised" version is that Heywood was involved in moving the Xilai's amassed wealth overseas, he asked for a bigger share which subsequently got him killed. 
3. A political conspiracy? Perhaps Heywood was never murdered, his "murder" suits the central government as an opportunity to remove competition. Bo had links with supporters of the former  president Jiang Zemin and the old guard.
4. Espionage? Was Heywood involved in government activities? William Hague dismissed this although it would be unlikely that he would confirm this. Heywood had worked for British Consultancy firm Hakluyt & Co that was founded by ex-secret service members. He drove a silver Jaguar with the registered plate "007". Heywood had asked for this plate because he was a "fan" of the movies. (007 translated in to Chinese is ling ling qī. The number 7 symbolises "togetherness" and is one of few numbers that is considered lucky in both China and the West. Seven is also associated with ghosts and spirits, the seventh month in China is also called the "ghost month". Numbers in China are very important.)
5. Corporate theory? Bo Xilai apparently concluded a deal with Royal Dutch Shell at a meeting in London, 2004. Shell is said to be a reliable client of Hakluyt & Co.Shell link.

Wen Jiabao

Bo Xilai

A foreign businessman in China who knew Heywood through business in China concluded "poor Heywood was murdered because he flew too close to the sun in Chongqing." 

One common factor contained in all theories regarding the death of Neil Heywood is corruption. The Chinese government will want to be seen as resolving the Bo scandal, corruption being something Bo reportedly took a personal vendetta against. 

LATEST UPDATES 

Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reports that Gu has "confessed" to killing Heywood.

Daily Mail, Gu's "confession"
 Insight - Children of Mao's wrath vie for power in China
Reuters

CCP Examines Bo's links to Heywood murder
NTDTV, Asahi Shimbun report "intentionally disclosed to foreign media".
Bo denies knowing anything about the death of Heywood
Telegraph article

"US forensic expert linked to China death inquiry"
Daily Bulletin
Patrick Devilliers detained because of financial links to Bo Xilai case
euronews

Chinese lawyers snub case, "no one wants to get involved."

The Independent
Bo family bought luxury London flats
The Financial Times
Patrick Devilliers 'holding funds' for Bo
The Telegraph
UK's PM given assurances
PoliticsHome
Chinese blogger who mocked Bo Xilai wins court case
The Guardian
Bo Xilai: Inside The Scandal, documentary
Wall Street Journal
Wang Lijun, police chief resigns
AP
Conflicting news of Bo's immunity
CHINA DAILY MAIL
Did Bo Xilai pay actress for sex?
BUSINESS INSIDER
Bo plotted 3 ways to kill police chief
The Telegraph
China holds colleagues close to Wang Lijun
New York Times
Bo's Banksy, Birthday well-wisher
CHINA DIGITAL TIMES
New Zealand millionaire linked to Bo Xilai
Want China Times
Patrick Devilliers offered immunity by China
The Telegraph
Bo driven to become an 'emperor'
The Asahi Shimbun
Bo Xilai 'incident' has affected investment in Chongqing
Bloomberg
Patrick Devilliers travels to China
BBC
Patrick Devilliers is held in China
WSJ
Gu Xilai charged with the murder of Heywood
The Telegraph
Gu Xilai to go on trial next Thursday
BBC