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Suffolk MP Patrick Spencer pleads not guilty to sexual assault | Suffolk MP Patrick Spencer pleads not guilty to sexual assault |
(32 minutes later) | |
Patrick Spencer appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court | Patrick Spencer appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court |
An MP has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault alleged to have taken place at London's Groucho Club. | |
Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer is accused of two assaults on two women on the same day in August 2023 - before he was elected. | Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer is accused of two assaults on two women on the same day in August 2023 - before he was elected. |
The 37-year-old, who became a Conservative MP at the 2024 general election, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court. | The 37-year-old, who became a Conservative MP at the 2024 general election, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court. |
He is due to appear next at Southwark Crown Court on 14 July for a plea and trial preparation hearing. | He is due to appear next at Southwark Crown Court on 14 July for a plea and trial preparation hearing. |
Mr Spencer smiled as he walked into Westminster Magistrates' Court | |
Mr Spencer stood in the dock to confirm his name as Michael Patrick Spencer and his date of birth. | Mr Spencer stood in the dock to confirm his name as Michael Patrick Spencer and his date of birth. |
District Judge Paul Goldspring told the MP, whose address was given in court as Suffolk, he was on unconditional bail. | District Judge Paul Goldspring told the MP, whose address was given in court as Suffolk, he was on unconditional bail. |
The charges were first brought against Mr Spencer in May. | The charges were first brought against Mr Spencer in May. |
Frank Ferguson, head of the special crime and counter terrorism division at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), previously 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), previously 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 Groucho is a private members' club in Soho's Dean Street. It opened in 1985 and became a well-known haunt of celebrities and media figures. | The Groucho is a private members' club in Soho's Dean Street. It opened in 1985 and became a well-known haunt of celebrities and media figures. |