Latest news with #CentralSuffolk
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Conservative MP Patrick Spencer charged with two counts of sexual assault
Conservative MP Patrick Spencer has been charged with two counts of sexual assault allegedly carried out at central London's Groucho club. The Crown Prosecution Service said on Tuesday that Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, had been charged following two alleged incidents at the famous private members club in August 2023. Lawyers acting for Spencer said he 'categorically denies the charges' against him, adding: 'He has co-operated fully with the police investigation from the moment he became aware of it and he will defend the allegations robustly in court.' Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS special crime and counter-terrorism division, said the allegations involved two separate women. Spencer, 37, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 16. A Conservative Party spokesman said he had been suspended from the party and had the whip withdrawn 'with immediate effect'. The spokesman said: 'The Conservative Party believes in integrity and high standards. We have taken immediate action.' It is understood that the Conservative chief whip asked Spencer not to attend the parliamentary estate while inquiries were ongoing. Under changes approved by the Commons last year, MPs face being barred from attending Parliament if they are arrested for serious sexual or violent offences. A risk assessment panel appointed by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle considers cases and can decide on a range of measures including exclusion from the Parliamentary estate and a ban on Commons-funded travel, although its conclusions are kept confidential. In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: 'On March 13 2025, a man attended a voluntary interview at a London police station.' Mr Ferguson added: '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. 'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.' Spencer was first elected to Parliament last year with a majority of 4,290. Prior to entering Parliament, he worked in finance for 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 thank and then becoming a senior adviser at the Department for Education. He made his maiden speech in the Commons in July last year during a debate on the MPs' code of conduct relating to second jobs, during which he said the 'most important thing to the people across my constituency' was 'restoring a sense of moral probity and public spiritedness to our political system'.
Times
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Times
Tory MP Patrick Spencer charged with sex assaults at Groucho club
Patrick Spencer, the Conservative MP, has been charged with sexually assaulting two women at a private members' club in central London, the Crown Prosecution Service has announced. Spencer, 37, is alleged to have attacked two women at the Groucho Club in August 2023. The MP for Central Suffolk & North Ipswich faces two charges of sexual assault under Section 3 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. He will appear at Westminster magistrates' court on June 16. He was suspended from the Conservative party and had the whip withdrawn with immediate effect after being charged, a Tory spokesman said. Spencer, who was elected to the Commons in July with a 4,290 majority, is said to have voluntarily attended an interview at a London police station
Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Tory MP charged with two sexual assaults at Groucho Club
Patrick Spencer, the Tory MP, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault following an incident at the Groucho Club in August 2023, the Metropolitan Police has said. The charges relate to two alleged attacks on two separate women. The Conservatives suspended Mr Spencer on Tuesday afternoon and confirmed the Commons whip had been withdrawn. Rebecca Harris, the Tory chief whip, also asked Mr Spencer not to attend the parliamentary estate while police inquiries were ongoing. Mr Spencer, who is the MP for Central Suffolk & North Ipswich, is due to appear before Westminster magistrate's court on June 16. A Scotland Yard spokesman said he had voluntarily attended a London police station on March 13 for interview. Mr Spencer, the son of Michael Spencer, Baron Spencer of Alresford, is married with two children. He was elected as MP for the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich seat at the General Election last July with a majority of 4,290. A Tory spokesman said: 'The Conservative Party believes in integrity and high standards. 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.' In a statement a Met spokesman said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the Metropolitan Police Service to charge a man following an investigation by detectives. 'The Met has issued a charge and requisition to Patrick Spencer, 36, from Suffolk, in connection with an investigation into two sexual assaults, which reportedly occurred at Groucho Club in August 2023.'
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Tory MP is charged with 'sexually assaulting two women at A-list hangout Groucho Club'
A Conservative MP was today charged with two counts of sexual assault after two alleged incidents involving two women at London 's exclusive Groucho Club. Patrick Spencer, 37, who represents Central Suffolk & North Ipswich, attended a voluntary interview at a police station in the capital on March 13. Spencer has been charged with two counts of sexual assault, contrary to Section 3(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, relating to two alleged incidents in August 2023. The Metropolitan Police said the Crown Prosecution Service authorised the force to charge Spencer, who will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 16. Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service 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. '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. 'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.' Spencer has been charged with two counts of sexual assault, contrary to Section 3(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. He was first elected to Parliament last year with a majority of 4,290.
The Guardian
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Tory MP Patrick Spencer charged with two counts of sexual assault
Conservative MP Patrick Spencer has been charged with two counts of sexual assault allegedly carried out at central London's Groucho club. The Crown Prosecution Service said on Tuesday that Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, had been charged over two alleged incidents at the Soho private members' club in August 2023. Frank Ferguson, the head of the CPS special crime and counter-terrorism division, said the allegations involved two separate women. Spencer, 37, will appear at Westminster magistrates court on 16 June. Ferguson added: '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. 'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.' Spencer was first elected to parliament last year with a majority of 4,290. More details soon …
