Andrew should answer Jeffrey Epstein questions in US, Democrats say

Members of the 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 the title of “prince” on Thursday after months of pressure over Andrew’s ties to Epstein. Andrew always denied injustice.

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

Congress member Suhas Subramanyam told the BBC: “If he wants to clear his name, if he wants to do justice to the victims, he will come forward.”

“Obviously Andrew’s name came up many times among the victims,” ​​he told Radio 4’s Today program on Saturday.

“So it’s clear that he has knowledge of what happened, and we want him to come forward and tell us what he knows.”

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

“Everyone should be taken care of, no matter who they are – American or not.”

sister committee member Raja Krishnamoorthi tells BBC Newsnight he would be willing to formally summon Andrew with a subpoena – but acknowledged that would be difficult to enforce while he was outside the US.

“But if Andrew wants to come to the United States or is here, then he is subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Congress and I would expect him to testify,” she said on Friday.

He added: “At the end of the day, we want to know exactly what happened, not only to bring justice to the survivors, but also to prevent this from happening again.”

“Confess. Come before the US Congress, testify voluntarily. Don’t wait for a subpoena. Come, testify and tell us what you know.”

Congressman Stephen Lynch also said the BBC’s hearing with Andrew “could help ensure justice for the survivors” but the committee could not subpoena him “as the situation stands”.

Meanwhile, Liz Stein, one of Epstein’s accusers, said Andrew should “take some initiative” and help US investigators.

“A lot of us are wondering why he didn’t want to co-operate and was questioned about his relationship with Epstein,” he told BBC Breakfast on Saturday.

“If he has nothing to hide, why is he hiding?”

“We know that he had a long-standing friendship with Epstein and was in his social circle, so he may have seen things during his relationship with Epstein that he could talk about.”

This comes after UK Business Secretary Chris Bryant told the BBC that Andrew should travel to the US to answer questions about Epstein’s crimes if invited; “just like any ordinary member of the public”.

Separately, new court documents released in the US on Friday showed Andrew wrote in a 2010 email that “it would be nice to meet in person” with Epstein, who was released from prison for soliciting a minor into prostitution.

In an email dated April 15, 2010, Epstein suggested the then-prince should meet with American banker Jes Staley, but Andrew said he could not do so due to his schedule.

“I don’t plan on coming to New York right away, but I think I should go soon,” he told Epstein.

“I’ll see if I can do it a few days before summer.

“It would be nice to meet in person.”

The pair were later photographed together at a meeting in New York’s Central Park in December 2010, where Andrew later told the BBC he would break off their friendship.

Andrew’s ties to Epstein were at the center of Thursday’s decision, with the palace announcement He stated that “even though he continues to deny the allegations against him, these condemnations were deemed necessary.”

“Her Majesty wishes to make it clear that her thoughts and utmost sympathies remain with the victims and survivors of all forms of abuse.”

Pressure has increased on the monarchy to resolve the issue of Charles’ brother in recent weeks.

In early October, resurfaced emails from 2011 showed Andrew communicating with Epstein months after he claimed their friendship had ended.

A memoir written by Virginia Giuffre was also published after her death; reiterating allegations that she was forced to have sex with Andrew on three separate occasions when they were teenagers, which Virginia Giuffre has always denied.

And earlier this week the King weighed in on the issue.

Although Andrew has denied the accusations, the Royal Family believes there were “serious errors of judgment” in his actions.