(CNN) -  Bo Xilai, the Chinese politician who fell from grace
amid a dramatic political scandal, has been expelled from the
Communist Party and relieved of his duties, China's state-run
news agency, Xinhua, reported.  Bo once was considered a top
contender for the Politburo Standing Committee, the team of nine
politicians who effectively rule China, but the news report on
his expulsion painted a portrait of corruption, abuse of power
and improper sexual relationships.  The party said Bo made
"severe mistakes" in the killing of a British businessman -- a
crime for which his wife was imprisoned -- and a diplomatic
incident involving a police official, Xinhua said. Investigators
cited influence peddling, bribery and womanizing, new details
found in the course of the party's investigation. "Bo had or
maintained improper sexual relationships with a number of
women," the state news agency said.  He also took advantage of
his power to seek profits and received bribes, Xinhua said. And
his family "accepted a huge amo