Suffolk MP calls alleged club groping a 'moment of stupidity'
A trial is continuing after Patrick Spencer denied sexual assault charges
An MP accused of sexually assaulting two women at London’s Groucho Club called it a “moment of complete stupidity” after being confronted with CCTV of his actions, a court has heard.
Patrick Spencer, 38, was questioned by the Metropolitan Police over complaints that he had grabbed the women from behind and groped their breasts.
The MP, who was elected for the Conservative Party in 2024 to represent Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, insisted he had not intentionally touched their breasts and denied trying to “cop a feel”.
Faced with CCTV of the incidents during the interview, Spencer said: “I don’t think it’s appropriate to approach someone from behind, I don’t think it’s appropriate to put my hands on someone unless you have a very close relationship with them.
“I don’t think it’s acceptable in this day and age.”
Spencer is on trial over two allegations of sexual assault, and says he did not touch the women’s breasts during the hugs.
In interview, the politician called himself “overfriendly” with a “gregarious” personality, and conceded to police that his actions “look leery”.
“Yeah, it looks terrible,” he told the interviewing officer, but Spencer denied any sexual intent and said he “misinterpreted” how he could behave with the women.
“I can only imagine how upsetting it clearly was and is,” he said, referring to the evidence of the women.
“It’s a moment of complete stupidity on my behalf.”
He added: “I’m profoundly sorry to the two women and to anyone involved in this.”
One of the alleged victims told jurors on Tuesday that she “froze” after feeling her breasts being touched, while the other said she was left in shock.
The incidents happened on August 12 2023, when Spencer had been admitted to the Groucho Club as a guest for a night out with friends.
After one of the alleged assaults, Spencer is seen making a hand gesture with his fist in the direction of his group of friends.
In police interview, he struggled to explain the gesture, conceding: “I suppose you could look at it as a sort of boorish, laddish hand movement.”
Starting his evidence in court, Spencer told jurors that on the day of the incident he had lunch with his father, billionaire Conservative donor Lord Michael Spencer, before watching England play Wales at rugby at Twickenham.
His barrister Eleanor Laws KC asked him: “Did you deliberately place your hands on either woman? Did you intend to sexual assault anyone?”
Spencer answered “no” to both questions.
He told the court he drank wine at lunch and beers at the rugby, and assessed himself as “pissed”.
“When I walked into the Groucho, I was fine, in high spirits, merry, but not out of control.”
He told the court he took a rickshaw home after being ejected from the club but did not know at the time why he had been told to leave.
“It was bizarre, surprising,” he said.
“I assumed I was being loud, clottish, knocked over someone’s glass or had bumped into somebody – that’s what I quickly assumed.”
He said he returned to the Groucho the following week for a 70th birthday celebration for his aunt, and collected the jacket he had left behind on the night he was ejected.
Spencer, who lives in Suffolk, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault.
The trial continues.