New claims made over death of British businessman Neil Heywood

The Evening Standard claims that Neil Heywood was held down and force-fed cyanide after threatening to reveal that a senior Chinese politician and his wife had secreted £800 million of state assets (REUTERS)

Shocking new claims have emerged today regarding the death in China of British businessman Neil Heywood.

The London Evening Standard claims that Neil Heywood was held down and force-fed cyanide after threatening to reveal that a senior Chinese politician and his wife had secreted £800 million of state assets.

Heywood, 41, was found dead in a hotel in Chongqing on 15 November. Local officials initially claimed that he died of excessive drinking.

Following high-level interventions from British politicians the Chinese government has promised a full investigation into the suspected murder of Mr Heywood and the political scandal associated with his death.

British Prime Minister Dave Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague have both demanded assurances from the Chinese government regarding the case.

To read the full Evening Standard article, click here