An MP who was accused of touching the breasts of two women at London’s Groucho Club has been found not guilty of sexual assault.
Patrick Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, had been accused of approaching both women, in separate incidents, and placing his hands on their breasts in August 2023.
The 38-year-old denied two counts of sexual assault and was found not guilty following a trial at Southwark Crown Court. He fell to his knees in the dock and could be seen sobbing as the verdicts were returned.
Spencer later told reporters that he had “always maintained my innocence” and the verdict drew “a very long and challenging period in my life to a close”.
The jury of eight men and four women returned the verdict after seven hours and six minutes of deliberation.
Spencer was elected a Conservative MP in July 2024 and the party removed the whip in 2025 after he was charged with the offences.
He had been sitting as an Independent MP, but the Conservative Party said after the verdict it had restored the whip and his suspension had been lifted.
“I would like to thank the jury, the court, my legal team and most importantly, my incredible wife, children, family, friends and colleagues – whose support has been unwavering throughout,” Spencer said after the verdict.
He also thanked his constituents who had reached out to offer support.
“For the time being, I’m looking forward to getting home to see my kids and getting back to work representing my constituents,” he added.
Source:
www.bbc.co.uk