MP found not guilty of sexually assaulting women

Introduction

A Member of Parliament has been cleared of all criminal charges following a trial in London. Patrick Spencer, the 38-year-old Conservative MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, was found not guilty on two counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court. The verdict, delivered by a jury, concludes a legal process that began with an incident in 2023, prior to his election to Parliament. Following the acquittal, the Conservative Party has lifted his suspension and restored the whip, allowing him to return to Westminster to resume his duties representing his constituents.

This development marks a significant turn of events for the politician, who had been sitting as an Independent MP during the legal proceedings. The decision of the court ensures that he can fully resume his political duties. The trial, which involved testimonies from Spencer, his wife Anna Spencer, and arguments from the prosecution, has been closely watched due to its impact on his parliamentary career and the representation of Central Suffolk and North Ipswich.

Background

The origins of the legal charges against Patrick Spencer date back to 12 August 2023, before his entry into Parliament. An evening at the Groucho Club in London became the focus of the allegations. Spencer was accused of two counts of sexual assault, with the prosecution alleging that he had placed his hands on the breasts of two different women during the course of the evening.

At the time of the alleged incident, Spencer was not yet a Member of Parliament. He subsequently contested the election in July 2024 and was successfully elected as the Conservative MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich. However, his parliamentary career was disrupted. In 2025, after being charged with the offences, the Conservative Party took action. The party suspended Spencer and removed the whip. As a consequence of this decision, Spencer subsequently sat as an Independent MP.

Latest Developments

The legal proceedings culminated in a trial at Southwark Crown Court in 2026. After hearing the evidence presented, the jury retired to consider their verdicts. The jury, consisting of eight men and four women, reached their verdict after deliberating for seven hours and six minutes. They found Spencer not guilty on both counts of sexual assault.

During the trial, Spencer maintained that he did not touch the breasts of one woman and that any contact with the other woman was accidental and unintentional. The jury was also shown police interviews. In these interviews, Spencer acknowledged his behaviour was "completely inappropriate" and a "moment of complete stupidity," but denied criminal wrongdoing. He received support from his wife, Anna Spencer, who testified to his character in court.

Following the verdict, the Conservative Party lifted Spencer's suspension and restored the whip. This action allows Spencer to return to Westminster to resume his duties representing his constituents as a Conservative MP, ending his period sitting as an Independent.

Key Facts

To outline the progression of the events, the following key facts represent the timeline and details of the case:

• 12 August 2023: The incident occurs at the Groucho Club in London.

• July 2024: Patrick Spencer is elected as the Conservative MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich.

• 2025: Spencer is charged with sexual assault, loses the Conservative whip, and begins sitting as an Independent MP.

• 2026: Spencer is acquitted of all charges at Southwark Crown Court and has the Conservative whip restored.

• The Jury: Consisted of eight men and four women who deliberated for seven hours and six minutes before finding Spencer not guilty on both counts of sexual assault.

• Spencer's Defense: He maintained he did not touch the breasts of one woman and that contact with the other woman was accidental and unintentional. In police interviews shown to the jury, he acknowledged his behaviour was "completely inappropriate" and a "moment of complete stupidity" but denied criminal wrongdoing.

• Anna Spencer: Spencer's wife supported him throughout the process and testified to his character in court.

• Detective Inspector Gavin Seeley: The Metropolitan Police officer stated that the police trust the jury's decision.

• Busola Johnson: A specialist prosecutor in the Special Crime Division at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that the case was fully investigated and robustly defended.

Conclusion

The resolution of the trial at Southwark Crown Court carries direct consequences for the representation of Central Suffolk and North Ipswich. With the not guilty verdicts delivered and the parliamentary whip restored, Spencer will return to Westminster to resume his duties representing his constituents as a Conservative MP. The legal outcome allows him to move past the charges that had shadowed his political career.

The local constituency party has reacted to the court's decision. The Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Conservative Association welcomed the verdict. The association stated that Spencer would now be an even more "formidable voice" for the local area in Parliament.

The involvement of law enforcement and prosecution officials highlights the formal conclusion of the case. Detective Inspector Gavin Seeley of the Metropolitan Police stated that the police trust the jury's decision. Additionally, Busola Johnson, a specialist prosecutor in the Special Crime Division at the Crown Prosecution Service, confirmed that the case was fully investigated and robustly defended. With the legal and political channels having concluded their processes, Spencer's focus now returns to his duties as a Conservative MP.