He was removed from his post on Saturday and is being investigated, Xinhua news agency quoted local party officials as saying.

BBC: Chinese police chief 'sacked over mistress twins'

His message to delegates, activists and local party officials throughout California was in line with the philosophy behind his new political action committee, the Conservative Victory Project.

NPR: Rove: GOP Needs Candidates Who Reflect Diversity

Beaten to the nomination by Lord Archer, he joined a new contest after the peer's resignation as candidate but was controversially dumped last weekend after local party officials complained about his well-documented extra-marital affairs.

BBC: You are in: UK Politics