China expels Bo from legislature, set for trial

BEIJING (AP) - Chinese lawmakers stripped disgraced politician Bo Xilai of his last official position on Friday, formally expelling him from the country's top legislature and setting the stage for criminal proceedings against the once-rising political star.

Though largely a formality since Bo was purged from the Communist Party late last month, his expulsion from the congress removes his immunity from prosecution. That sets the stage for a criminal case involving accusations of corruption and other wrongdoing, including interfering in the investigation into the murder of a British businessman.

Bo's wife and a household aide were convicted for the murder last month.

Communist Party leaders are keen to resolve the country's messiest political scandal in decades as they prepare for next month's once-in-a-decade transition of power to the next generation of leaders tasked with shoring up public support in the face of widespread disgust over official graft and influence peddling.