Andrew should answer Epstein questions in US, Democrats say

Members of a US congressional commission investigating the Jeffrey Epstein case have heightened their calls for Andrew Mountbatten Windsor to answer questions about the late sex offender's connection to the late criminal. Following months of rumors about Andrew's ties to Epstein, King Charles stripped his brother of his prince title on Thursday. Andrew has always denied wrongdoing. At least four Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have since re-initiated their calls for Andrew to testify, although Republicans have not confirmed that they favor the change.

If he wants to do right by the victims, he'll come forward,

congressman Suhas Subramanyam told the BBC.

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

Understandably, Andrew's name has come up many times from the victims,

he told Radio 4's Today show on Saturday.

He has a clear idea of what happened, but we want him to come forward and tell us what he knows.

No matter whether it's American or not, everybody should be concerned,he said.Raja Krishnamoorthi, a fellow committee member, told BBC Newsnight that he would be able to summon Andrewwith a subpoena, but that it would be difficult to follow if he was outside of the United States.

However, if Andrew wishes to visit the United States or he's here,

he said on Friday, he'd be subject to the US Congress' jurisdiction.At the end of the day, we want to know exactly what happened, not just to give justice to the survivors, but to keep this from happening again. Come clean. Come before the US Congress, voluntarily testify. Don't wait for a subpoena. Come and testify and tell us what you know. While getting justice for these people, Congressman Stephen Lynch told the BBC, it might be helpful in getting justice for these survivors,

but that the committee will not be able to subpoena him

as the situation stands. Meanwhile, Liz Stein, one of Epstein's accUSers, suggested that Andrew should take some initiative and support US investigators.

A lot of us are curious as to why he's reluctant to cooperate and be concerned about his Epstein's involvement.

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

We know he had a long-term relationship with Epstein and that he was in his social circle,

says Epstein, so he may have noticed things during his Epstein visits that prompted him to call.

Anouska De Georgiou, another of Epstein's accusers, told Newsnight that Andrew should appear before Congress, saying

it would be appropriate for him to be handled the same way as anyone else" is handled.

It comes after UK trade minister Chris Bryant told the BBC that if invited, Andrew should travel to the United States to answer questions about Epstein's crimes

as with any ordinary member of the public. In the meanwhile, the police watchdog said it had approached the Metropolitan Police to inquire if there are issues it should investigate, particularly in light of media reports concerning Andrew. Last week, the Independent Office for Police Conduct said it had called Scotland Yard's Directorate of Professional Standards, which oversees internal investigations into misconduct, but had not received any referrals. Andrew reportedly sought to obtain personal information about his accuser Virginia Giuffre through his police cover in 2011. He hasn't commentated on the reports, but the Metropolitan Police recently said it was

actively" looking into them.

Andrewwrote in an email in 2010 that it would be good to meet up in person with Epstein after he was released from jail for soliciting prostitution from a juvenile, according to separate court records released in the United States on Friday. In a meeting in Central Park in New York in December 2010, the two were then photographed together, a decision that Andrew later told the BBC that they should not continue to talk about their friendship later. Andrew's ties to Epstein were at the forefront of the court's decision on Thursday, with the Palaceannouncement stating that these censures are deemed necessary, despite the fact that he continues to deny the charges against

Their Majesties want to make it clear that their thoughts and deepest sympathies have been, and will continue to be with, the victims and survivors of all sorts of violence.

In recent weeks, pressure on the monarchy has risen to address the issue of Charles' brother. Andrew was in touch with Epstein in early October, emails that had resurfaced from 2011 months after he said their friendship had ended. Virginia Giuffre's posthumous memoir was also published, repeating allegations that she was compelled to have sex with Andrew as a child, which she has never denied. The King was also befuddled about the situation earlier this week.

Despite Andrew denies the charges, the Royal Family believes that there have been serious lapses of judgement in his behaviour. He was also ordered to move from his Windsor mansion - Royal Lodge - to a King's Norfolk home, which was paid for by the monarch. The BBC knows that he does not have to move out right away and that if you go to Sandringham as late as next year. A black Land Rover with a number plate ending DOY was seen leaving Bishops Gate near Royal Lodge just before 8:00 GMT on Saturday. When the vehicle left Windsor Great Park's grounds, only a driver was in it. Andrew has been seen driving a car with the same private number plate as before.