Conservative MP Patrick Spencer broke down in tears as a jury found him not guilty of sexually assaulting two women at London's Groucho Club. The 38-year-old, elected as MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich in 2024, had faced allegations that he cupped the breasts of two women before fist-pumping after grabbing them from behind in August 2023.
Jury Delivers Verdict After Seven Hours
Following more than seven hours of deliberation, the jury at Southwark Crown Court returned not guilty verdicts on both counts of sexual assault. Spencer buried his face in his trembling hands as the verdicts were read, then embraced his wife Anna in the courtroom. He had consistently maintained that any contact with the women's breasts was accidental or unintentional.
The incidents occurred on August 12, 2023, before Spencer was elected to Parliament. He told the court he had consumed red wine with his father over lunch, beers at Twickenham while watching an England rugby match, followed by wine and negroni cocktails at the private members' club.
Autism Diagnosis Blocked from Evidence
Before the trial, Spencer's lawyers sought permission to inform jurors about his autism diagnosis. Medical experts found he was unable to read social cues and could be 'overfamiliar' with friends and strangers. His barrister, Eleanor Laws KC, argued that reports from a psychiatrist and psychologist could help the jury understand his behaviour, including the apparent 'fist pump' after grabbing the women. However, Mr Justice Garnham blocked the evidence, ruling it irrelevant to whether Spencer had sexually assaulted the women.
In his police interview, Spencer expressed remorse for grabbing the two women—who were unknown to him—from behind, acknowledging it was 'not acceptable in this day and age.' He described it as a 'moment of complete stupidity' but denied attempting to 'cop a feel.' He referred to himself as 'overfriendly' with a 'gregarious' personality, and acknowledged to police: 'Yeah, it looks terrible.'
Women Describe Shock at Being Grabbed
The women told jurors they were left 'shocked' after being grabbed by Spencer. One stated she 'froze' when she claims her breasts were touched. In court, Spencer firmly maintained he would never touch a woman's breasts without consent and challenged whether the CCTV footage depicted two sexual assaults. He described feeling 'surprised' at being removed from the club, though assumed it was for 'being loud, clottish, knocked over someone's glass or I had bumped into somebody.'
Initial Police Investigation Fell Below Standards
Spencer was identified by Groucho Club staff following the initial allegations, but a Metropolitan Police officer neglected to pursue the investigation and failed to obtain statements from the women. Following a complaint about the stalled investigation, the Met carried out a review in early 2025 and assigned a fresh detective, collecting statements and interviewing the MP. Met Police Commander Andy Day stated: 'We acknowledge that this investigation initially fell below the high standards we would expect, and we have apologised to the two women who made reports.' He added that after the review, charges were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service within three months. The officer who neglected to obtain witness statements was examined by the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards, but no disciplinary action was pursued.
Spencer Stripped of Tory Whip
Spencer, son of billionaire Conservative donor Lord Michael Spencer, received support in court from his wife Anna. She testified in his defence, commending his abilities as a parent and characterising him as a 'very nice man.' He was stripped of the Tory whip following the sexual assault charges and has served in Parliament as an independent while his trial proceeded.
