An MP who is accused of groping two women at Soho’s exclusive Groucho Club has appeared in court to deny sexual assault charges.
Patrick Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, is accused of attacking two separate women on a night at the club on August 12, 2023.
It is said Spencer, the son of a major Tory donor, groped the women’s breasts without their consent.
Appearing in the dock at Westminster magistrates court on Monday, Spencer pleaded not guilty to both charges.
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 put his hands on their breasts.
“At the Groucho Club, Mr Spencer was present that evening as were two female complainants”, she told the court.
One of the women says she was at the bar when Spencer “put his arms under her arms and cupped her breasts over clothing”.
The other woman alleges Spencer “moved behind her and also cupped her 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, was suspended by the Conservative Party after criminal charges were brought.
In a statement at the time, his lawyers said Spencer “categorically denies” the two charges of sexual assault against him and “will defend the allegations robustly in court”.
They added: "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."
After entering his not guilty pleas, Spencer elected a crown court trial. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring sent the case for a preliminary hearing at Southwark crown court on July 14.
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 next court hearing.
