Conservative Member of Parliament Patrick Spencer faces two counts of sexual assault, accused of drunkenly groping two women at London's Groucho club on August 12, 2023. Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, denies the charges.
Southwark Crown Court heard that Spencer, who was a guest at the private members' club, allegedly approached the women, pestered them to have a drink, and then touched their breasts without consent. The women, who did not know Spencer at the time, later identified him using his Parliament website profile picture. Prosecutors stated the women were left shocked by the encounters.
The court was told that on the night in question, guests had attended a musical performance before gathering in the bar area. The first woman recounted how a man repeatedly tried to engage her in conversation and insisted on buying her a drink despite her refusals. She eventually accepted a sip to appease him. Later, as she had her back to him at the bar, the man allegedly put his hands under her arms and touched her breasts. She immediately moved away.
A short time later, the second woman reportedly experienced a similar unwanted interaction with the same man, whom she perceived as drunk and unsteady on his feet. She also accepted a drink to discourage further engagement. According to the prosecution, the man approached her from behind, put his arms around her, and placed his hands on top of her breasts. She removed his hands and was taken aback.
Jurors heard that the two women later compared their experiences and realized they had encountered the same individual. Spencer was confronted at the bar and left the club with a friend.
Police were notified in August 2023, but the suspect was not identified until mid-2024. Spencer was suspended from the Conservative Party and had the whip withdrawn after being charged. The party stated that it "believes in integrity and high standards" and had taken "immediate action."
CCTV footage reviewed by Groucho staff matched the man's arrival with Spencer's sign-in details. The court heard that the initial police investigator did not realize Spencer's name had been provided and did not pursue inquiries as quickly as possible, leading to formal statements from the women not being taken until early 2025.
Spencer was first interviewed by police in March 2025, approximately 19 months after the alleged incidents. He told officers he had been at the club with friends and had put his arms around the women, mistaking them for members of his group. He admitted his behavior was "inappropriate in this day and age" and described it as "overfriendly" but without intent to cause upset. He stated he had been drunk but not out of control. Upon learning of the allegations of touching their breasts, he expressed that he was "appalled" and that it was inappropriate, but it was not his intent to touch them inappropriately.
However, the prosecution informed the jury that Spencer's defense is that he did not touch either woman's breasts at all. The trial is ongoing.
