The trial for an ex-police chief at the centre of China’s worst political scandal in decades opened with an unexpected closed-door hearing yesterday, a day earlier than publicly announced.

The ex-police chief at the centre of China's worst political scandal in decades has gone on trial in a closed hearing involving state secrets.

A former police chief linked to a disgraced leader at the centre of China’s biggest political scandal in decades will stand trial on Tuesday on charges that include defection and bribery.