A group of leftists in China have written an open letter asking parliament not to expel disgraced leader Bo Xilai.

The letter, signed by more than 300 academics and former officials, was carried on the left-wing Chinese-language website Red China.

It said the move was legally questionable and politically motivated.

China’s leftists are a small but vocal group to whom Bo Xilai’s populist policies appealed.

Expulsion from parliament would remove Bo Xilai’s immunity, meaning he could be prosecuted over the scandal that has seen his wife Gu Kailai jailed.

Gu Kailai was given a suspended death sentence earlier this year over the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood.

Bo Xilai’s former police chief and right-hand man Wang Lijun has also been jailed in connection with the scandal.

More than 300 academics and former party officials signed the letter in support of the former Chongqing Communist Party leader.

“What is the reason provided for expelling Bo Xilai? Please investigate the facts and the evidence,” the letter said.

“Please announce to the people evidence that Bo Xilai will be able to defend himself in accordance with the law.”

Those who signed include Li Chengrui, former director of the National Bureau of Statistics, a law professor at Peking University, local legislators, members of the now-closed online leftist forum Utopia, as well as a rights activist in Zhejiang.

Many Chinese internet users cannot access the Red China website, which has supported Bo Xilai, and the letter so far does not appear to have been reported in state media.

But the letter exposes the deep divisions that continue to exist within the party over the Bo Xilai affair.

Bo Xilai’s flamboyant populist style – including the promotion of old party songs and his policies for state-led growth – pitted him against reformist colleagues.

He has not been seen in public since mid-March, shortly after the scandal erupted and it was announced he was under investigation.

Bo Xilai was suspended from his party posts in April and expelled from the Communist Party in September. State media says he faces charges related to corruption, abuse of power and bribe-taking.

His wife Gu Kailai was convicted of killing Neil Heywood after a multi-million dollar business deal turned sour.

But supporters maintain that Bo Xilai’s enemies have used this scandal to end his career for political reasons.

Bo Xilai, 63, had been a prime candidate for a top post in the leadership handover set for next month before the scandal broke.