Britain said Monday it welcomed China's move to investigate the death of British businessman Neil Heywood, after the wife of a prominent Chinese politician was found guilty of murdering him.

>> China court gives Gu Kailai 'suspended death sentence'

"We welcome the fact that the Chinese authorities have investigated the death of Neil Heywood, and tried those they identified as responsible," Britain's embassy in Beijing said in a statement.

"We consistently made clear to the Chinese authorities that we wanted to see the trials in this case conform to international human rights standards and for the death penalty not to be applied."

A Chinese court on Monday handed Gu Kailai, wife of the disgraced leader Bo Xilai, a suspended death sentence for Heywood's murder and sentenced a Bo family employee to nine years in jail for acting as her accomplice.

Gu was given the death penalty with two years' reprieve, a sentence that is usually commuted to life in prison.

She had confessed during her trial earlier this month to killing 41-year-old Heywood by pouring poison down his throat, saying that he had threatened her son after a business deal went sour.

Two British diplomats attended that hearing -- a rare concession in China, where trials involving high-profile political figures are often held in secret.

"Our thoughts are with Mr. Heywood's family during this distressing time," the embassy statement said.