China’s rulers have put on a forceful show of unity after the biggest political scandal in decades, kicking Bo Xilai out of the Communist party and making myriad accusations that could lead to the death penalty for the disgraced one-time high-flying politician.

The announcement that the former party secretary of Chongqing has been accused of taking bribes, improper sexual relations with multiple women and other unspecified crimes comes six months after he was purged following revelations that his wife had murdered a British businessman.

Ths list was unexpectedly extensive. Some observers thought the government might hand Mr Bo only a light punishment because he was one of the country’s most popular politicians and?his?father was a revered revolutionary leader.