Latest news with #PollyDyer
The Guardian
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Suspended Tory MP denies sexually assaulting two women at London club
An MP faces trial over allegations he groped two women in one night while drunk at the Groucho private members' club in London. Patrick Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault at Westminster magistrates court on Monday morning. He was told the magistrate could deal with the case, but exercised his right to be tried by a jury in the crown court instead. The prosecutor, Polly Dyer, told the court Spencer was accused of touching the breasts of two women without their consent on 12 August 2023. She said the prosecution's case was that Spencer made an initial approach to one of the complainants that made her feel uncomfortable at about 8pm that evening. It was alleged he appeared intoxicated and insisted on buying her a drink, to the extent that she felt forced, and asked about her marriage. About four hours later on the same night, the prosecutor alleged, Spencer walked up behind the woman, put his arms beneath hers, and cupped her breasts over her clothing. The chief magistrate, Paul Goldspring, heard the woman was taken by surprise, that she did not know why he had done it, and had not consented. The court heard the prosecution's claim that the second complainant had given a similar account relating to the same night. It was alleged Spencer insisted she try a drink. In the hope it would make him relent without her having to be rude, the prosecutor said the second complainant took a sip. But Spencer put his arms around her, cupping her breasts, the court heard. The complainant removed his hands and the prosecution told the court she had not consented. Spencer became a Conservative MP in the general election the year after the incidents are alleged to have occurred. The Conservative party said he had been suspended and that the whip had been withdrawn with immediate effect. Spencer, who wore a suit and glasses as he sat in the dock, rose to enter his not guilty pleas. He opted for a trial before a jury and was bailed to attend Southwark crown court on 14 July.
The Independent
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Suspended Conservative MP Patrick Spencer denies two counts of sexual assault
Suspended Tory MP Patrick Spencer has denied two counts of sexual assault allegedly carried out at central London's Groucho club. Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, allegedly cupped the breasts of two women over their clothes at the famous private members' club on an evening in August 2023. The 37-year-old appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday, where he confirmed his full name – Michael Patrick Spencer – and date of birth before pleading not guilty to the offences. Prosecutor Polly Dyer told the court that the first complainant 'felt Mr Spencer put his arms under her arms' before he 'cupped her breasts over the clothing'. Of the second complainant, the prosecutor alleged 'he moved behind her and also cupped her breasts with his hands over clothing'. Ms Dyer added that neither woman consented to the alleged touching. The court heard a complaint was made to the Groucho Club and a report made to the police, with Spencer interviewed by officers earlier this year. He is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on July 14. Lawyers acting for the MP have previously 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.' The politician, who lives in Suffolk, was suspended from the Conservative Party and had the whip withdrawn after the charges were brought. 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'. Spencer made an application to have his home address withheld from the court which Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring granted.
ITV News
14 hours ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Suffolk MP Patrick Spencer appears in court to deny sexual assault charges at London's Groucho Club
An MP has appeared in court to deny two counts of sexual assault allegedly carried out at central London's Groucho club. Patrick Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, cupped the breasts of two women over their clothes at the famous private members' club on an evening in August 2023, said prosecutors. The 37-year-old, from Suffolk, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court, where he confirmed his name and date of birth before pleading not guilty to the offences. The politician was suspended from the Conservative Party and had the whip withdrawn after the charges were brought. Prosecutor Polly Dyer told the court that the first complainant 'felt Mr Spencer put his arms under her arms' before he 'cupped her breasts over the clothing'. Of the second complainant, the prosecutor alleged 'he moved behind her and also cupped her breasts with his hands over clothing'. Ms Dyer added that neither woman consented to the alleged touching. He is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on 14 July.
