BEIJING >> An account from the Chinese government says the ex-police chief at the center of a political scandal asked U.S. diplomats for asylum after he helped cover up the murder of a British businessman.

The account released Wednesday marks the fullest explanation by the government of the scandal that was triggered when Wang Lijun sought refuge at a U.S. consulate. Washington has denied that Wang requested asylum.

The account says Wang covered up the murder of the Briton by Gu Kailai, the wife of Communist Party boss Bo Xilai. But when he later feared for his life, he took his concerns to a senior party official — a glancing reference to Bo — who slapped him.

Only then, it says, did Wang flee to the consulate and request asylum.