Tory MP Patrick Spencer groped breasts of two women at London’s Groucho club after pestering them to have a drink with him, court hears

A Tory MP has been accused of groping the breasts of two women at London's exclusive Groucho club after pestering them to have a drink with him, a court has heard. Patrick Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, is accused of approaching the women during a night out at the club in August 2023, wrapping his arms around them and touching their breasts without consent.

Spencer, who was elected as a Conservative MP in the 2024 general election, denies two counts of sexual assault. The court heard that the women did not know who Spencer was at the time but later identified him using his profile picture on Parliament's website. They were left shocked by their alleged encounters with the MP, who had been visiting the club as a guest.

The alleged incidents occurred at the Groucho club, an exclusive members' club in Soho. Guests had been attending a musical performance before gathering in the club's bar area for drinks. The first woman told the court that a man she did not know repeatedly tried to strike up a conversation and insisted on buying her a drink despite her repeated refusals. She eventually took a sip of the drink 'to appease him'. The man appeared animated and had seemingly been drinking.

The second woman was allegedly assaulted a short time later after another unwanted interaction with the same man. She also considered the man to be drunk, telling jurors he was unsteady on his feet and slurring his words. She accepted a drink in the hope he would leave her alone, the court heard. The prosecutor said: 'She will tell you at one point the male approached her from behind, reached his arms around her, and placed both his hands on top of her breasts. She was taken aback and peeled his hands from her.'

Spencer was confronted at the bar and left the club with a friend, the court heard. While police were first notified in August 2023, the alleged suspect was not identified until about a year later in the middle of 2024. Spencer was later suspended by the Conservative Party and had the party whip withdrawn after he was charged with two counts of sexual assault. Removing the whip means Spencer sits in Parliament as an independent MP.

Spencer was first interviewed by police in March this year, about 19 months after the alleged incidents on the night out. He told officers he had attended the club with four friends and stayed for around two hours before being asked to leave because he had upset other guests. Spencer admitted hugging a friend from behind and said he had similarly put his arms around the two women because he had mistakenly thought they were members of the same group. He accepted his actions were inappropriate 'in this day and age'.

The trial continues, with jurors set to hear from the women who accuse Spencer of groping them. The case has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many calling for Spencer to step down as an MP. The Conservative Party has taken swift action, suspending Spencer and withdrawing the party whip. As the trial unfolds, one thing is clear: the alleged actions of Patrick Spencer have left a dark stain on the reputation of the Conservative Party and the halls of Parliament.

Source: Daily Mail