US special counsel David Weiss said on Friday that Hunter Biden may be headed for a criminal trial and that talks between the two sides have broken down.

In July, Hunter Biden’s proposed deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to tax charges and avoid a gun charge hit a snag when the judge in the case said she needed more time to review their agreement.

The parties ultimately agreed that the deal would only grant Biden immunity on a limited set of tax, drug and firearm offences.

Hunter Biden’s lawyers said in the filing on Sunday addressed to US district judge Maryellen Noreika that “consistent with their terms”, he signed both agreements, and was willing to waive some rights, and to accept responsibility for his past mistakes.

“While counsel for the defendant is still prepared to respond to the questions Your Honor posed at the July 26 hearing, in light of the US’ decision on Friday to renege on the previously agreed-upon Plea Agreement, we agree that those issues are moot at this point.”