Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer has been charged with two counts of sexual assault which allegedly happened at central London’s Groucho Club in August 2023
A Tory MP has been charged with two counts of sexual assault which allegedly happened at a central London private members club.
The Crown Prosecution Service said on Tuesday that Patrick Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, had been charged following two alleged incidents at the Groucho Club in August 2023.
The politician, who was first elected to Parliament last year with a majority of 4,290, has been suspended from the Conservative Party and has lost the whip. It is understood that Mr Spencer, who has a wife and two sons, was asked not to attend the parliamentary estate by the Chief Whip whilst police inquiries were ongoing.
Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS special crime and counter-terrorism division, said the allegations involved two separate women. Spencer, 37, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 16.
Mr Ferguson added: “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.”
A Conservative Party spokesman said: “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 Patrick Spencer MP has been suspended from the Conservative Party, and the whip withdrawn, with immediate effect.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.”
Lawyers acting for Spencer said: “Patrick Spencer categorically denies the charges. 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.”
In a statement the Metropolitan Police said: “The Met has issued a charge and requisition to Patrick Spencer, 37, from Suffolk, in connection with an investigation into two sexual assaults, which reportedly occurred at Groucho Club in August 2023.
“The charges relate to two separate women. On 13 March 2025, a man attended a voluntary interview at a London police station. Patrick Spencer has since been charged with two counts of sexual assault and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 16 June.”
The Groucho Club was last year forced to close for a period. Its licence was reviewed after an alleged rape at the site in November. The incident is not connected to Mr Spencer’s case.
The premises reopened in December with new conditions between the police and the management, including members being limited to inviting four guests to the club. At the time, Gary Grant, representing the Met Police, raised three concerns about the club.
“Firstly, lax procedures on the admission of members and guests and the recording of who was in their premises,” he said. “Secondly, insufficient welfare training and procedures that required improvement. Thirdly, the inadequacy of the supervision of the toilet areas.”
