Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to federal tax charges on Thursday in a surprise move that avoids US President Joe Biden's family having to endure another embarrassing and painful criminal trial of the president's son.His stunning decision to plead guilty to misdemeanour and felony charges without the benefits of a deal with prosecutors came hours after jury selection was supposed to begin in the case accusing him of failing to pay at least 1.4 million dollars (£1.06 million) in taxes.

Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to federal tax charges on Thursday in a surprise move that avoids US President Joe Biden's family having to endure another embarrassing and painful criminal trial of the president's son.His stunning decision to plead guilty to misdemeanour and felony charges without the benefits of a deal with prosecutors came hours after jury selection was supposed to begin in the case accusing him of failing to pay at least 1.4 million dollars (£1.06 million) in taxes.