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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 earlier | Patrick Spencer appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier |
| An MP has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault alleged to have taken place at London's Groucho Club. | 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 was elected as a Conservative MP at the 2024 general election, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court. | The 37-year-old, who was elected as 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 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. |
| The Conservative Party removed the whip from him last month and he now sits as an independent MP. | |
| Patrick Spencer appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court | Patrick Spencer appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court |
| Prosecutor Polly Dyer told the court that the alleged offences happened on 12 August 2023 at the Groucho Club. | Prosecutor Polly Dyer told the court that the alleged offences happened on 12 August 2023 at the Groucho Club. |
| The barrister said the MP, "who seemed intoxicated", insisted on buying one of the females a drink and made her feel uncomfortable by asking her about her marriage. | The barrister said the MP, "who seemed intoxicated", insisted on buying one of the females a drink and made her feel uncomfortable by asking her about her marriage. |
| Ms Dyer said Mr Spencer then allegedly tried to force her to have a drink before the woman walked away, as she felt it was inappropriate. | Ms Dyer said Mr Spencer then allegedly tried to force her to have a drink before the woman walked away, as she felt it was inappropriate. |
| The court heard that Mr Spencer was alleged to have then approached the complainant. | The court heard that Mr Spencer was alleged to have then approached the complainant. |
| The prosecutor said she turned her back to him, and Mr Spencer was said to have put his arms under her arms and cupped her breasts over her clothing. | The prosecutor said she turned her back to him, and Mr Spencer was said to have put his arms under her arms and cupped her breasts over her clothing. |
| Ms Dyer said a similar account had been given by the second complainant. | Ms Dyer said a similar account had been given by the second complainant. |
| The MP was then alleged to have moved behind her and cupped her breasts with his hands over her clothing. | The MP was then alleged to have moved behind her and cupped her breasts with his hands over her clothing. |
| The prosecutor said it was alleged that the woman took his hands off and was shocked and embarrassed. | The prosecutor said it was alleged that the woman took his hands off and was shocked and embarrassed. |
| The court heard that a complaint was made to the Groucho club, and the matter was reported to the police. | The court heard that a complaint was made to the Groucho club, and the matter was reported to the police. |
| Mr Spencer was interviewed by the police earlier this year. | Mr Spencer was interviewed by the police earlier this year. |
| Mr Spencer is next due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on 14 July | Mr Spencer is next due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on 14 July |
| 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. |