China has expelled former Interpol chief Meng Hongwei from the Communist Party and dismissed him from his official positions, the country’s graft watchdog announced yesterday.

Meng, who served as the vice minister of public security, vanished in September last year during a visit to China from France and was later accused of accepting bribes. “Meng Hongwei has no party principles... does not report personal matters in accordance with regulations... and refuses to implement the decision of the Party Central Committee,” the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said in a statement.

Meng had used state assets to support his family’s lavish lifestyle while abusing his position to get his wife employment, the watchdog said.

The case has been handed over to the state prosecutor’s office, and his “illegal income” has been confiscated, it added.