Why it matters: The Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP, elected just 10 months ago, has lost the party whip after being charged with two separate sexual assault offences that are alleged to have been committed at London's Groucho Club in August 2023.
The details: Spencer, 37, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 16 June. The charges follow two alleged incidents involving two separate women at the private members' club in Soho.
Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's 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."
What they're saying: Spencer's lawyers said in a statement that Patrick Spencer 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."
A Conservative Party spokesman said the party "believes in integrity and high standards" and that they "have taken immediate action" to maintain those standards.
For context: Spencer made his maiden speech in July 2024 during a Commons debate on MPs' code of conduct relating to second jobs. 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".
Before entering Parliament, Spencer worked in finance for private equity firm IPCL, chaired by his father, former Conservative Party treasurer Lord Michael Spencer. He later worked at the Centre for Social Justice think tank and became a senior adviser at the Department for Education.
Spencer was elected with a majority of 4,290, taking the seat after the previous Conservative MP Dr Dan Poulter defected to Labour.
What's next: Spencer remains an MP but will sit as an independent. He was reportedly asked not to attend the parliamentary estate while police inquiries were ongoing.
Under Commons rules, MPs face being barred from attending Parliament if they are convicted of a sexual or violent offence.
The bottom line: The MP, who categorically denies the charges, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 16 June.
