Suffolk MP accused of groping two women's breasts at London club
Patrick Spencer denies charges at Southwark Crown Court
Patrick Spencer, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, is facing allegations of sexually assaulting two women at London's Groucho Club in August 2023, as detailed in a hearing at Southwark Crown Court.
Spencer is accused of approaching the women from behind and placing his arms around them during a night at the private members’ club in Soho, where guests had enjoyed musical performances.
The women did not initially recognise him, but later identified Spencer through a Parliament website profile.
During the court proceedings, prosecutor Polly Dyer outlined the claims that Spencer, reportedly intoxicated, insisted on having a drink with the women before later allegedly groping them.
The first alleged victim described Spencer as persistent, eventually accepting a drink to appease him. She accused Spencer of suddenly placing his hands under her arms and onto her breasts.
Similarly, the second alleged victim said Spencer made her feel uncomfortable and appeared drunk. He allegedly offered her a drink, before approaching her from behind and touching her breasts, prompting her to remove his hands.
The two women shared experiences with each other before confronting Spencer at the bar, where he left with a friend soon after.
Reports to the police were made in August 2023, but Spencer, who attended the Groucho Club as a guest, was only identified midway through 2024, following CCTV investigations and sign-in book reviews.
Spencer, the Conservative MP since 2024, was suspended from the Tory Party and had the whip withdrawn once charges were filed.
While Spencer acknowledges his behavior as overly friendly and inappropriate, he denies the allegations of touching the women's breasts, stating he thought they were part of the same group he hugged.
Spencer denies two counts of sexual assault, with the trial ongoing.