Andrew should answer Epstein questions in US, Democrats say

By Maia Davies, BBC News, Nov.1: Members of a US congressional committee investigating the Jeffrey Epstein case have intensified their calls for Andrew Mountbatten Windsor to answer questions about his links to the late sex offender.

King Charles stripped his brother of his "prince" title on Thursday, following months of pressure over Andrew's ties to Epstein. Andrew has always denied wrongdoing.

At least four Democrat members of the House Oversight Committee have since renewed their calls for Andrew to testify - although the panel is controlled by Republicans, who have not indicated they would support the move.

Congressman Suhas Subramanyam told the BBC: "If he wants to clear his name, if he wants to do right by the victims, he will come forward".

"Frankly, Andrew's name has come up many times from the victims," he told Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday.

"So he clearly has knowledge of what happened and we just want him to come forward and tell us what he knows."

Andrew could appear remotely, have a lawyer present and could speak to the panel privately, Subramanyam added.

"No matter who it is - American or not - everyone should be looked at."

Fellow committee member Raja Krishnamoorthi told BBC Newsnight he would be willing to formally summon Andrew with a subpoena - although he conceded this would be difficult to enforce while he was outside of the US.

He said on Friday: "However, if Andrew wishes to come to the United States or he's here, then he's subject to the jurisdiction of the US Congress, and I would expect him to testify."

He added: "At the end of the day, we want to know exactly what happened, not just to give justice to the survivors, but to prevent this from ever happening again."

"Come clean. Come before the U.S. Congress, voluntarily testify. Don't wait for a subpoena. Come and testify and tell us what you know."

Congressman Stephen Lynch also told the BBC hearing from Andrew "might be helpful in getting justice for these survivors" but said the committee would be unable to subpoena him "as the situation stands".

Meanwhile, Liz Stein - one of Epstein's accusers - said Andrew should "take some initiative" and help US investigators.

She told BBC Breakfast on Saturday: "A lot of us are curious as to why he's unwilling to cooperate and be questioned about his involvement with Epstein."

"If he has nothing to hide, then why is he hiding?"

"We know he had a longstanding friendship with Epstein and that he was in his social circle - so he may have seen things during his involvement with Epstein that he could speak to."

It comes after UK trade minister Chris Bryant told the BBC Andrew should go to the US to answer questions about Epstein's crimes if invited, "just as with any ordinary member of the public".