Tory MP charged with sexual assaults at famous club

Conservative MP Patrick Spencer has been charged with two counts of sexual assault allegedly carried out at London's Groucho Club.

The charges follow two alleged incidents involving two different women at the private members' club in Soho in August 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said. Follow live politics updates: Your views on Starmer's migration speech Spencer - who is the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich - is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday 16 June.

The 37-year-old's lawyers said he "categorically denies" the charges and "will defend the allegations robustly in court". A Conservative Party spokesman said Spencer has been suspended by the Tories and had the whip withdrawn.

The Metropolitan Police said he was charged after attending a voluntary interview at a London police station on 13 March this year. 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 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 was first elected to Parliament last year with a majority of 4,290. It is understood he was asked not to attend the parliamentary estate by the Tory chief whip while police enquiries were ongoing.

A Conservative Party 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"Patrick Spencer MP has been suspended from the Conservative Party, and the whip withdrawn, with immediate effect.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." Read more from Sky News:Man who spent 38 years in jail for murder has conviction quashedThe online drug trade behind QR code stickers on UK streets The Groucho Club, in Dean Street, opened in 1985 and became a renowned meeting place for A-list celebrities and others, including actors, comedians and media executives.

The club was named after the comedian and actor Groucho Marx, who reportedly once said he would refuse to join any club that would have him as a member. It was originally set up as a more relaxed alternative to traditional gentlemen's clubs, according to the venue's website, which adds that members should be in the creative industry "and share the club's maverick spirit".

Before becoming an MP, Spencer 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 thinktank before 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". Lawyers acting for the MP said in a statement: "Patrick Spencer categorically denies the charges.

"He has cooperated fully with the police investigation from the moment he became aware of it and he will defend the allegations robustly in court. "Given that the proceedings are now on foot, no further comment will be made.".