An MP faces trial over allegations he groped two women in one night while drunk at the Groucho private members’ club in London.
Patrick Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault at Westminster magistrates court on Monday morning.
He was told the magistrate could deal with the case, but exercised his right to be tried by a jury in the crown court instead.
The prosecutor, Polly Dyer, told the court Spencer was accused of touching the breasts of two women without their consent on 12 August 2023.
She said the prosecution’s case was that Spencer made an initial approach to one of the complainants that made her feel uncomfortable at about 8pm that evening. It was alleged he appeared intoxicated and insisted on buying her a drink, to the extent that she felt forced, and asked about her marriage.
About four hours later on the same night, the prosecutor alleged, Spencer walked up behind the woman, put his arms beneath hers, and cupped her breasts over her clothing.
The chief magistrate, Paul Goldspring, heard the woman was taken by surprise, that she did not know why he had done it, and had not consented.
The court heard the prosecution’s claim that the second complainant had given a similar account relating to the same night. It was alleged Spencer insisted she try a drink. In the hope it would make him relent without her having to be rude, the prosecutor said the second complainant took a sip.
But Spencer put his arms around her, cupping her breasts, the court heard. The complainant removed his hands and the prosecution told the court she had not consented.
Spencer became a Conservative MP in the general election the year after the incidents are alleged to have occurred. The Conservative party said he had been suspended and that the whip had been withdrawn with immediate effect.
Spencer, who wore a suit and glasses as he sat in the dock, rose to enter his not guilty pleas. He opted for a trial before a jury and was bailed to attend Southwark crown court on 14 July.