No Death Penalty for Politburo Wife Who Murdered UK Businessman

Could face as little as eight years in prison in a country that executes bureaucrats for malfeasance

Gu, 52, instead received a suspended death sentence that is likely to be commuted to life imprisonment for preparing a solution of cyanide hydrochloride to poison Mr Heywood, 41, in a hotel room in Chongqing last November.

"Her crime was enormous and its outcome was severe. She played the major role, and should be sentenced to death," said Tang Yigan, the vice chief of the Intermediate People's Court in the central city of Hefei, where the trial took place.