MP found not guilty of sexually assaulting two women at private members' club

An MP has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting two women at a private members' club in central London.

Former Conservative Patrick Spencer, 38, was accused of coming up behind two women during a night out at the Groucho Club in August 2023 and "cupping" their breasts.

Southwark Crown Court heard that when questioned by police, he called himself "gregarious" and "overfriendly" and was sorry for a "moment of complete stupidity".

The MP - who was suspended by the Conservatives in May last year and sits as an independent - denied two counts of sexual assault which were said to have taken place while he was a guest at the venue.

Mr Spencer insisted he had not touched the breasts of one of the women, while contact with the other had been accidental and unintentional.

He said the gesture he made after the second woman pushed him away was due to him being "mortified" that she rejected his hug, rather than celebrating groping her.

A jury deliberated for just over seven hours before finding Spencer not guilty of two counts of sexual assault.

He was elected in 2024 to represent Central Suffolk and North Ipswich.

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