British Lawmaker Patrick Spencer Pleads Not Guilty to Groucho Club Sexual Assault Charges

Patrick Spencer denies allegations of sexually assaulting two women at London’s Groucho Club; trial preparations scheduled for July 14 at Southwark Crown Court.

British MP Patrick Spencer has pleaded not guilty to allegations of sexually assaulting two women at London’s Groucho Club, a renowned private venue frequented by media elites. Spencer appeared in court this week to formally deny both charges, with a plea and trial preparation hearing now set for July 14 at Southwark Crown Court — the same court where actor Kevin Spacey stood trial in 2023.

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In a case that has shaken Westminster and attracted significant public attention, British lawmaker Patrick Spencer formally entered a not guilty plea to two counts of sexual assault reportedly committed at the Groucho Club, one of London’s most exclusive private members’ clubs.

Appearing in court earlier this week, Spencer confirmed his name and date of birth before denying both charges. The allegations relate to incidents said to have occurred on August 12, 2023, within the Groucho Club premises — a Soho-based institution synonymous with London’s creative and media circles. The club had its licence suspended late last year after the complaints emerged, only reopening in early 2025.

According to the prosecution, Spencer is accused of approaching two women separately during the evening and cupping their breasts over their clothing after reaching under their arms. Both complainants independently came forward with similar accounts, prompting an official police investigation shortly after the alleged incidents.

Spencer was formally charged last month, leading to immediate political fallout. The Conservative Party suspended him and withdrew the party whip, stripping him of affiliation in Parliament and reclassifying him as an independent MP. However, he remains a sitting Member of Parliament while awaiting trial.

A Conservative Party spokesperson previously issued a brief statement following the charges:

“Patrick Spencer MP has been suspended from the Conservative Party, and the whip withdrawn, with immediate effect.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 is scheduled to reappear in Southwark Crown Court on July 14 for a plea and trial preparation hearing. The case is expected to proceed through formal legal channels in the coming months, with significant scrutiny given Spencer’s public role and the high-profile nature of the venue.

The Groucho Club, where the incident allegedly took place, has a long-standing reputation as a discreet social space for London’s cultural elite, including writers, actors, and politicians. The licensing suspension last year marked a rare public blemish for the club.

The trial’s outcome could have broader implications for both Spencer’s political future and the public perception of accountability within UK politics amid an increasing number of misconduct allegations across party lines.