The jury in the trial of Patrick Spencer, the Member of Parliament for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, has retired to consider its verdict after the prosecution and defence completed presenting evidence at Southwark Crown Court.
Allegations and charges
Spencer, 38, faces two counts of sexual assault relating to alleged incidents on 12 August 2023 at the Groucho Club in Soho. The charges concern accusations that he touched the breasts of two women without their consent. The alleged incidents occurred before Mr Spencer entered Parliament in 2024. He has pleaded not guilty.
Evidence heard in court
Over the course of the trial the court heard testimony from the two complainants, witnesses who were in the club that night, police officers involved in the investigation, and from Mr Spencer himself. Jurors were shown CCTV footage from the Groucho Club and heard parts of Spencer's police interview.
“a bit of a pest”
One of the women who gave evidence described Spencer as “a bit of a pest”, telling the court he had been persistent in trying to buy her drinks. She said that, while standing at the bar with her back turned, he came up behind her, placed his arms under hers and touched her breasts. She told the court the incident left her shocked and that footage shows her immediately moving away.
The second woman said she felt uncomfortable during the evening and described Spencer as appearing intoxicated, unsteady and slurring his words. She gave evidence that he came up behind her and touched her breasts over her clothing without her consent.
Party response and parliamentary status
Following the charges, Mr Spencer was suspended by the Conservative Party and has since been sitting in the House of Commons as an independent MP. The outcome of the trial will have implications for his future in Parliament and for his constituents in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich.
Details at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| MP | Patrick Spencer |
| Constituency | Central Suffolk and North Ipswich |
| Age | 38 |
| Allegation date | 12 August 2023 |
| Court | Southwark Crown Court |
| Charges | Two counts of sexual assault |
During interview with police, jurors heard Mr Spencer accept that his conduct as seen on the club footage “looks terrible”. The defence has argued that the incidents either did not occur as alleged or were misconstrued; Mr Spencer denies the charges.
Local impact and what happens next
The jury will now consider the evidence and reach a verdict. If convicted, the consequences for Mr Spencer's position in Parliament and his relationship with constituents will be significant. If acquitted, questions about party discipline and reputation will remain.
- Verdict pending after jurors retired to consider evidence.
- Proceedings included witness testimony, CCTV evidence and a police interview.
- Mr Spencer remains suspended from the Conservative Party and sits as an independent MP.
InfoRadar will provide updates when the jury reaches its decision.
