MP Patrick Spencer Denies Sexual Assault Charges at Southwark Crown Court

Patrick Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, denied two counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court on 13 July 2026. Prosecutors allege he approached two women from behind and touched their breasts without consent at the Groucho Club in Soho on 12 August 2023. Neither woman had met Spencer before the evening.

The first victim told the court a man she did not know bought her a drink despite repeated refusals and later placed his hands under her arms to touch her breasts. The second victim described the same man as unsteady and slurring before he reached around her from behind and placed both hands on her breasts.

Jurors viewed slowed-down CCTV footage showing Spencer unsteady on his feet as he approached the women.

Spencer told police he had hugged the women believing they were part of his group of four friends and described the behaviour as inappropriate but without intent to touch their breasts. A report was made to police in August 2023, but Spencer was not identified until midway through 2024 after a club worker matched CCTV with the sign-in book.

Victims provided statements in early 2025 and Spencer was questioned in March 2025.

The Met Police investigating officer did not progress the case as quickly as possible after the club supplied Spencer's name in 2023. Spencer was elected as a Conservative MP in July 2024. The party removed the whip in 2025 and he now sits as an independent.

He is the son of billionaire businessman and Tory peer Michael Spencer and is a father of two. The trial is expected to last four to five days.