Key facts
- MP Patrick Spencer was acquitted of two counts of sexual assault.
- The alleged incidents occurred at the Groucho Club in London in August 2023.
- Spencer claimed he had only intended to hug the women and denied touching their breasts intentionally.
- A jury deliberated for over seven hours before reaching a not guilty verdict.
- Spencer, son of billionaire Conservative donor Lord Michael Spencer, had lost the party whip following the charges.
Patrick Spencer, the Member of Parliament for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, has been acquitted of sexually assaulting two women at the Groucho Club in London. The alleged incidents took place in August 2023, with Spencer accused of touching the women's breasts over their clothing.
During the trial at Southwark Crown Court, the 38-year-old MP denied the charges. He described himself as "overfriendly, overzealous, and overenthusiastic" on the night in question but insisted he had not attempted to "cop a feel." Spencer conceded that his hand had touched one woman's breast, stating it was accidental as he was aiming for her waist. He denied touching the other woman's breasts at all.
CCTV footage shown in court depicted Spencer raising his arm with a clenched fist after the second alleged assault. In a police interview, he referred to this gesture as "boorish" and "laddish" and called the action "a moment of complete stupidity," offering an apology to the women.
Spencer's wife, Anna, testified in his defense, suggesting he struggled to "read a room." The jury, comprising eight men and four women, deliberated for seven hours and six minutes before returning a unanimous verdict of not guilty on both counts of sexual assault.
Spencer, who is the son of Conservative Party donor Lord Michael Spencer, had lost the Tory whip after being charged and sat as an independent MP while awaiting trial. The incidents occurred before he was elected to Parliament. He told the court he had consumed a significant amount of alcohol on the day of the alleged assaults.
The Metropolitan Police acknowledged that their initial investigation fell below expected standards, with an officer failing to pursue the case or take statements from the women. A review in early 2025 led to a new detective gathering statements and questioning the MP. Commander Andy Day apologized to the women for the initial shortcomings. The officer involved faced an internal investigation but no disciplinary proceedings were brought.