MP Patrick Spencer will stand trial next summer over allegations he sexually assaulted two women during a night at Soho’s famous Groucho Club.
The MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich is accused of carrying out the attacks on August 12, 2023, prior to entering Parliament.
Spencer was elected as a Conservative Party MP, but lost the whip in May after being charged.
At Southwark crown court, Judge Tony Baumgartner, the Recorder of Westminster, set a trial for July 13 next year.
Spencer - appearing under his full name Michael Patrick Spencer - indicated not guilty pleas to two counts of sexual assault when he first appeared at the magistrates court last month.
On Monday, he formally entered not guilty pleas to an indictment.
The alleged incidents happened before he was elected to Parliament at last year’s General Election.
Prosecutor Polly Dyer said Spencer is accused of coming up behind both women and reaching forward to grope their breasts.
Both women say the touching happened without their consent.
Spencer, who is the son of billionaire businessman and major Tory donor Lord Michael Spencer, issued a statement through lawyers when charged, saying he “categorically denies” sexual assault and “will defend the allegations robustly in court”.
"He has co-operated fully with the police investigation from the moment he became aware of it and he will defend the allegations robustly in court."
At last year’s election, Spencer won the seat previously held by Dan Poulter who defected from the Tories to Labour in April 2024.
Prior to entering Parliament, he worked in finance for private equity firm IPGL, a company chaired by his father.
He later took a job at the Centre for Social Justice think thank and then becoming a senior adviser at the Department for Education.
The Groucho is one of London’s most well-known private members’ clubs and has long been associated with A-list celebrities.
It has previously counted Noel Gallagher, Rachel Weisz and Stephen Fry among its members.
The venue was originally set up in 1985 as a more relaxed alternative to traditional gentlemen’s clubs, and current members “should have a creative role within the creative industries and share the club’s maverick spirit”, according to its website.
Spencer has been freed on unconditional bail until the trial. A further court hearing has been set for December 8.
