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Suffolk MP Patrick Spencer MP charged with two sex assaults Suffolk MP Patrick Spencer is charged with two sexual assaults
(33 minutes later)
Patrick Spencer will appear in a court next month Patrick Spencer will appear in court next month
An MP has been charged with two counts of sexual assault that allegedly happened at London's Groucho Club, the Metropolitan Police have said. An MP has been charged with two counts of sexual assault that allegedly took place at London's Groucho Club, the Metropolitan Police have said.
Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Conservative MP Patrick Spencer is accused of the attacks, which were said to have happened in August 2023. Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Conservative MP Patrick Spencer is accused of the attacks in August 2023 - before he was elected.
The 37-year-old will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 16 June.The 37-year-old will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 16 June.
In a statement, the force said it had issued the charges related to two women. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had authorised charges relating to "two alleged incidents involving two separate women" at the private members' club.
The Met Police said: "On 13 March 2025, a man attended a voluntary interview at a London police station. "On 13 March 2025, a man attended a voluntary interview at a London police station," the Met Police said.
"Patrick Spencer has since been charged with two counts of sexual assault and will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday, 16 June.""Patrick Spencer has since been charged with two counts of sexual assault and will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday, 16 June."
'Evidence review'
On his website, Spencer says he lives in Suffolk with his family.On his website, Spencer says he lives in Suffolk with his family.
He was not an MP at the time of the attack, having been elected to parliament in July 2024. He was not an MP at the time of the alleged attacks, having been elected to parliament in July 2024.
Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS special crime and counter terrorism division, said: "Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service, we have authorised two counts of sexual assault against Patrick Spencer MP. Frank Ferguson, head of the special crime and counter terrorism division at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: "Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service, we have authorised two counts of sexual assault against Patrick Spencer MP.
"The charges follow two alleged incidents involving two separate women at the Groucho Club in central London in August 2023. "The charges follow two alleged incidents involving two separate women at the Groucho Club in central London in August 2023."
"The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are now active and that he has the right to a fair trial. A Conservative Party spokesman confirmed that Spencer had been suspended.
"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings." He said in a statement that the party "believes in integrity and high standards".
A Conservative Party spokesman confirmed Spencer had been suspended. "We have taken immediate action," the spokesman said.
He said in statement the party "believes in integrity and high standards". "Patrick Spencer MP has been suspended from the Conservative Party, and the whip withdrawn, with immediate effect.
"We have taken immediate action. Patrick Spencer MP has been suspended from the Conservative Party, and the whip withdrawn, with immediate effect.
"The Conservative Party cannot comment further on an ongoing legal case.""The Conservative Party cannot comment further on an ongoing legal case."
It is understood that Spencer was asked not to attend the parliamentary estate by the Tories' chief whip while police carried out their investigation.It is understood that Spencer was asked not to attend the parliamentary estate by the Tories' chief whip while police carried out their investigation.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. 'Moral probity'
You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts. Spencer was elected as the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich in July 2024 with a majority of 4,290.
Before he entered the Commons, he worked in finance for the private equity firm IPGL, a company chaired by his father, former Conservative Party treasurer Lord Michael Spencer.
He later took a job at the Centre for Social Justice think tank and then became a senior adviser at the Department for Education.
Spencer made his maiden speech in July during a debate on the MPs' code of conduct relating to second jobs.
He said then that the "most important thing to the people across my constituency" was "restoring a sense of moral probity and public spiritedness to our political system".