A Tory MP has been charged with two counts of sexual assault at London’s Groucho Club.
Patrick Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, has been charged over the alleged incidents at the exclusive private members club in August 2023.
Mr Spencer was interviewed at a London police station in March over the incidents which relate to two separate women, the Metropolitan Police said.
The 37-year-old will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 16 June. His charge was authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) following a review by its special crime division, which handles complex and sensitive cases.
.jpeg)
A Conservative Party spokesperson said he had been suspended from the party and had the whip withdrawn "with immediate effect".
They added: “The Conservative Party believes in integrity and high standards. We have taken immediate action. Patrick Spencer MP has been suspended from the Conservative Party, and the whip withdrawn, with immediate effect.
“The Conservative Party cannot comment further on an ongoing legal case.”
Mr Spencer "categorically denies'' the two charges of sexual assault against him and "will defend the allegations robustly in court'', his lawyers have said.
They added: “He has cooperated fully with the police investigation from the moment he became aware of it and he will defend the allegations robustly in court.
"Given that the proceedings are now on foot, no further comment will be made.”
He had been told by Tory whips to stay away from the parliamentary estate while inquiries were ongoing.
Head of the CPS special crime and counter-terror division Frank Ferguson said: “Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service, we have authorised two counts of sexual assault against Patrick Spencer MP.
“The charges follow two alleged incidents involving two separate women at the Groucho Club in central London in August 2023.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are now active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Mr Spencer is the son of Michael Spencer, a billionaire Conservative peer and founder of finance firm NEX Group.
Lord Spencer was Tory treasurer between 2006 and 2007, having donated millions of pounds to the party, and was awarded a peerage by Boris Johnson in 2020.
Mr Spencer was first elected to Parliament last year with a majority of 4,290. Prior to entering Parliament, he worked in finance for a private equity firm chaired by his father, IPGL.
He later took a job at the Centre for Social Justice think thank and then becoming a senior adviser at the Department for Education.
He made his maiden speech in the Commons in July last year during a debate on the MPs' code of conduct relating to second jobs, during which he said the "most important thing to the people across my constituency" was "restoring a sense of moral probity and public spiritedness to our political system".
Under changes approved by the Commons last year, MPs face being barred from attending Parliament if they are arrested for serious sexual or violent offences.
A risk assessment panel appointed by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle considers cases and can decide on a range of measures including exclusion from the Parliamentary estate and a ban on Commons-funded travel, although its conclusions are kept confidential.
Housekeepers sue Motown legend Smokey Robinson, alleging years of sexual assaults
Equalities watchdog threatened with court over trans toilets guidance
Starmer doubles down on ‘island of strangers’ immigration row amid Labour revolt
Ed Miliband’s wife objects to new block of flats near couple’s home in housing row
Mandelson plays down idea of Farage as PM after Reform local elections victory
Former Tory immigration minister backs Starmer in ‘island of strangers’ row
