Conservative MP Patrick Spencer suspended after being charged with sexually assaulting two women

Westminster has been plunged into fresh turmoil after Conservative MP Patrick Spencer was charged with sexually assaulting two women at London’s elite Groucho Club, a haunt favoured by the capital’s wealthy and well-connected.

The 37-year-old MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich now faces a high-profile court appearance on June 16th at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. The charges relate to alleged incidents that occurred in August 2023, sparking immediate political fallout and reigniting debate over misconduct within the corridors of power.

The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed the nature of the accusations—two separate counts of sexual assault involving different women. The Metropolitan Police, leading the investigation, have described the probe as thorough and ongoing.

As news of the charges broke, the Conservative Party acted with apparent urgency. Spencer has been suspended from the party and stripped of the Tory whip, effectively casting him out of the parliamentary group pending the outcome of the legal process. Party officials said the move underscored a “zero-tolerance” stance and a commitment to maintaining “high standards and integrity.”

The allegations are deeply damaging for a party already under pressure, with Spencer’s case quickly becoming a lightning rod for wider criticism about political accountability. Just last year, the MP had publicly called for “moral probity and honesty” in politics—statements now viewed through the lens of irony by critics and commentators.

Spencer, a former private equity executive turned backbench MP, has strongly denied all allegations. In a public statement, he said: “I categorically deny the charges brought against me. I have cooperated fully with the police since I was first made aware of the investigation and will continue to do so. I am confident the truth will come out in court.”

Despite his defence, the scandal has triggered a flurry of reactions across Westminster and beyond. Opposition MPs accused the Conservative leadership of presiding over a culture of impunity, while Conservative insiders insisted the party had responded “swiftly and decisively” to the revelations.

The Groucho Club, located in Soho, is well-known as a playground for celebrities, media figures, and politicians. The club, famous for its discretion and exclusivity, has not commented on the incident, but the association with such a salacious case is likely to send ripples through London’s elite social circles.

Social media erupted following the announcement of the charges, with users divided between calls for immediate condemnation and reminders of the right to a fair trial. Legal experts have stressed the importance of allowing the judicial process to unfold without political interference or premature judgement.

However, the optics are already proving damaging. Spencer’s family, long regarded as pillars in their Suffolk community, now find themselves under intense scrutiny. Constituents, too, are left grappling with the allegations, with some calling for Spencer to resign outright, regardless of the trial’s outcome.

The Conservative Party, weary from a series of ethics crises in recent years, faces yet another reputational test. Senior Tories are said to be bracing for a turbulent few weeks, with several fearing the scandal could dominate headlines during a crucial political period.

As Spencer prepares to defend himself in court, the British public is once again left to question the calibre of those elected to represent them. Is this a case of individual wrongdoing—or a symptom of a deeper malaise within Britain’s political elite?

For now, all eyes turn to June 16th, when the first hearing promises to lift the lid on a case that has already shaken the foundations of trust in Parliament.