MP Faces Breast-Groping Allegations at Prestigious London Venue
Incident at Groucho Club Details
MP groped women at London s Groucho – A Member of Parliament has been accused of inappropriate physical contact with two female patrons at one of London’s most exclusive private members’ clubs. According to testimony presented at Southwark Crown Court, Patrick Spencer allegedly placed his hands on the breasts of two women without their permission during a night out in August 2023. The MP, representing Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, reportedly approached the women after pestering them to accept a beverage. Court proceedings revealed that Spencer came up behind both women while appearing intoxicated and wrapped his arms around them during the evening at the Soho establishment.
Identification and Testimony
Interestingly, the two women did not recognize Spencer at the time of the alleged incidents. However, authorities were eventually able to identify him through his profile photograph displayed on the official Parliament website. Both women maintained that Spencer touched their breasts without consent, leaving them feeling shocked and surprised by the unexpected contact. The prosecutor, Polly Dyer, outlined the sequence of events to jurors, explaining that the incident occurred on August 12, 2023. Guests at the club had been enjoying a musical performance before moving to the Soho bar located within the Groucho premises.
She ended up sipping a drink he bought her, to appease him
One of the alleged victims described how an unfamiliar man attempted to engage her in conversation. Despite repeatedly declining, she was “insistent” that she accept a drink. The woman noted that Spencer appeared animated and had clearly been consuming alcohol. After initially moving away, she encountered him again when returning to the bar.
She will tell you the male put his hands under her arms and touched her breasts. It took her completely by surprise, and she immediately moved away from him.
Second Allegation and Investigation Delay
A short time following the first incident, Spencer allegedly approached a second woman, attempting conversation and making her feel uncomfortable. According to Ms Dyer’s account, this woman also considered Spencer to be intoxicated, noting that he was unsteady on his feet and slurring his words.
She considered the male to be drunk. He was unsteady and slurring.
This second woman similarly agreed to take a sip of a drink Spencer offered, hoping to “appease him in the hope he would go away.” The prosecutor explained that Spencer then approached her from behind, reached his arms around her, and placed both hands on top of her breasts.
She was taken aback and peeled his hands from her.
Jurors learned that the two women discussed their experiences with each other after the incidents. Spencer was subsequently confronted at the bar before departing the Groucho Club with a companion. Although a police report was filed in August 2023, Spencer was not identified as the man involved until midway through 2024.
Political Context and Current Status
Spencer, aged 38 and whose full name is Michael Patrick Spencer, was elected as a Conservative MP during the 2024 general election. The politician, who resides in Suffolk, had his whip withdrawn and was suspended from the Tory Party after sexual assault charges were brought against him.
This case involves two allegations made by two women that on the night of August 12 2023, the defendant, Michael Patrick Spencer, touched their breasts.
A significant factor in the case involves the delayed police investigation. A Groucho staff member reviewed CCTV footage and identified Spencer by matching his arrival time with his name in the sign-in book. However, the Metropolitan Police investigating officer failed to recognize in 2023 that Spencer’s name had been provided by the club, resulting in a slower-than-expected investigation progression. The women involved were not requested to provide formal statements until early 2025, with Spencer being questioned by police in March of that year. Spencer claimed he had visited the club with four friends and spent approximately two hours there before being asked to leave because he had “upset people who had asked for him to be removed.”
He described his behaviour as being overfriendly but without any intent to upset anyone.
Spencer told investigators that he had hugged a friend from behind and performed the same gesture toward the two women, believing they were part of the same social group. He characterized his actions as not appropriate for contemporary standards, particularly regarding his approach to the women. Spencer continues to deny that he touched the women’s breasts, maintaining his innocence while the case proceeds through the legal system.
