“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.