Biden ‘confident’ his son Hunter did nothing wrong as GOP senators discuss investigation into his taxes

President-elect’s son has confirmed federal prosecutors looking into his financial affairs

Joe Biden says he is “confident” his son Hunter did nothing wrong as GOP senators discussed launching an investigation into his taxes.

The president-elect insisted he backed his son as Republican politicians suggested they believe a special prosecutor needs to look into Hunter Biden.

Mr Biden spoke out as he confirmed Pete Buttigieg as his pick for transportation secretary.

He was asked whether he was confident his son did nothing wrong and replied, “I am confident."

But that may not be good enough for Republicans in Washington DC.

Senator Ron Johnson, chairman of the Senate homeland security committee, said that he hoped special counsel was “not necessary, but it might be.”

Mr Johnson made the comments at a meeting of the committee when asked about reports that Donald Trump is asking advisers about appointing one to probe Hunter Biden’s taxes.

“I'm hoping he’s a person of integrity and that we can rely on him," said Mr Johnson about the US attorney in Delaware.

"Hopefully we can also rely on Vice President Biden not replacing that individual, but again if we don't have that assurance, don't have that confidence, we just might need a special counsel.”

Hunter Biden announced last week that federal prosecutors in Delaware had opened an investigation into his tax affairs, but insisted that he had handled them “legally and appropriately.”

Senator Lindsey Graham has also thrown his weight behind a special counsel to look into Hunter Biden’s Ukraine business dealings.

"I think it's a good idea. If you believe a special counsel was needed to look at the Trump world regarding Russia. How can you say there's no need for special counsel regarding Hunter Biden?" he said.

"I am absolutely calling on a special counsel to look at all things Hunter Biden to see if he presents a conflict for the Biden administration regarding his business dealings in Ukraine, which is overrun with Russian agents, and any activity he had with the Chinese government,” he added later.

The outgoing president was furious when it emerged that attorney general Bill Barr had kept the federal probe into Hunter Biden quiet during the election campaign.

Mr Barr has since handed in his resignation and will leave his administration role before Christmas.