Bo Xilais son defends himself

The son of fallen Chinese politician Bo Xilai defended his academic record and social life while at university in England and the United States in a letter that was the latest example of the extraordinary public evolution of Chinas messiest political scandal.

Bo Guagua,a Harvard graduate student,denied that he received preferential treatment in admissions,was a poor student and drove a pricey sports car. In a letter to the Harvard Crimson student newspaper published Tuesday,he said he attended social events as an Oxford University undergraduate to broaden his perspective.

Bo Xilai is under investigation for unspecified malfeasance after being suspended from the Politburo. Since the April 10 announcement of the suspension,accusations of heavy partying by his son have appeared in some Western media reports and on Chinese blogs.

In his letter,the 24-year-old Bo Guagua said his tuition at Harvard,Oxford and the expensive British prep school he attended were covered by scholarships and his mothers earnings as a successful lawyer and author. He also denied ever having lent his name to any for-profit business ventures.