Patrick Spencer, Member of Parliament for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, is standing trial at Southwark Crown Court in London, facing two counts of sexual assault. The alleged incidents took place at the exclusive Groucho Club in August 2023, where he was said to have engaged with two women in a manner that has raised serious concerns about his conduct. The prosecution claims Spencer's actions were not only unwanted but also non-consensual.
One of the alleged victims testified from behind a screen, describing her initial interactions with Spencer as 'animated and friendly' before becoming increasingly uncomfortable. She claimed he began to ask invasive personal questions, including whether she was married, and proceeded to follow her into an alcove despite her attempts to disengage. The woman stated that Spencer's insistence on having a drink with her, despite her declining the offer, made her feel like her personal space was being invaded.
The alleged victim testified that the sexual assault occurred when Spencer came up behind her at the bar, placing his arms through hers and touching both breasts without consent. When questioned by prosecutor Polly Dyer about whether she had given her permission for this to happen, the woman firmly replied, 'Not at all.' She described feeling 'shocked' and stated that she continued walking in an attempt to distance herself from Spencer.
The jury was shown CCTV footage allegedly capturing the incident, while a second alleged victim reported experiencing similar behaviour shortly after. Following these allegations, Spencer was confronted by staff at the Groucho Club and asked to leave. He was later identified as the man in the CCTV footage in 2024.
Spencer's defence counsel, Eleanor Laws, questioned the woman about the speed of the alleged contact, suggesting that Spencer had 'barely' touched her. However, the woman countered by stating that she pushed away from him and would not have known what happened unless she was touched. The prosecution asserts that Spencer's defence is that he did not touch either woman.