Latest news with #GrouchoClub
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 A Conservative Party spokesman said he had been suspended from the party and had the whip withdrawn 'with immediate effect'.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
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
British Politician Patrick Spencer Charged With Sexual Assaulting Women At London's Groucho Club
A British politician has been charged with sexually assaulting two women at London's legendary media haunt, the Groucho Club. Patrick Spencer, a member of the opposition Conservative Party and MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, was charged in relation to two alleged incidents involving two separate women, according to the Crown Prosecution Service. More from Deadline Soho's Legendary Groucho Club Closed Temporarily Due To Reports Of "Serious Crime" 'Any Day Now': How Eric Aronson Artfully Marketed His Indie Heist Movie + Exclusive Clip Cannes Jury President Juliette Binoche On Trump's Movie & TV Tariffs: "He's Fighting To Save America And To Save His Ass" Frank Ferguson, Head of the CPS 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 incidents are said to have taken place at the Groucho Club in August 2023. A Conservative Party spokesman told the BBC Spencer had been suspended. 'We have taken immediate action,' they said. '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.' Spencer will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday, 16 June. Soho members club Groucho was temporarily closed in November 2024 by police after they received a report of a 'serious crime' and its license was reviewed. Best of Deadline Everything We Know About Ari Aster's 'Eddington' So Far Everything We Know About 'Nobody Wants This' Season 2 So Far List Of Hollywood & Media Layoffs From Paramount To Warner Bros Discovery To CNN & More
Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
UK Conservative lawmaker Spencer charged with sexual assault
British lawmaker Patrick Spencer has been charged with two counts of sexual assault relating to two women, London's Metropolitan Police said on Tuesday. Spencer, 37, was charged following an investigation into two alleged incidents at central London's Groucho Club in 2023. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 16. Spencer, who belonged to the opposition Conservative Party, was elected in last year's general election to represent the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich seat in eastern England. The party said it had suspended Spencer with immediate effect and he would no longer represent the Conservatives in parliament.
Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
UK Conservative lawmaker Spencer charged with sexual assault
LONDON - British lawmaker Patrick Spencer has been charged with two counts of sexual assault relating to two women, London's Metropolitan Police said on Tuesday. Spencer, 37, was charged following an investigation into two alleged incidents at central London's Groucho Club in 2023. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 16. Spencer, who belonged to the opposition Conservative Party, was elected in last year's general election to represent the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich seat in eastern England. The party said it had suspended Spencer with immediate effect and he would no longer represent the Conservatives in parliament. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
