Conservative Member of Parliament Patrick Spencer appeared in court this week to deny allegations of sexual assault made against him. Spencer faces two counts of sexual assault related to an incident that occurred following a day of socializing, including at a rugby match and a London dinner venue.

During his testimony, Spencer characterized his behavior on the night in question as “overfriendly, overzealous, and overenthusiastic” but firmly denied any intention to inappropriately touch the two women who brought the allegations. He acknowledged gesturing with his arms and described the situation as embarrassing, contending that his movements were misinterpreted. “I definitely didn’t do it,” he said, rejecting claims that he tried to “cop a feel.” Spencer also denied asking one of the women intrusive questions about her marriage, labeling such behavior as “bizarre.”

In a police interview presented to the court, Spencer admitted that his actions were “a moment of complete stupidity” and offered an apology to the women involved. That night, he consumed alcohol, including red wine with his father, the billionaire Conservative donor Lord Michael Spencer, beer at the England v Wales rugby match at Twickenham, and later negroni cocktails at the Groucho Club. The alleged victims testified that Spencer was “insistent” in encouraging them to drink with him, with one describing him as a “pest.”

Spencer’s defense stressed his generally awkward demeanor and social missteps, with his wife Anna Spencer providing character testimony on his behalf. Describing him as “kind, gentle, and compassionate,” she said he sometimes struggles to “read a room perfectly” and can occasionally say the wrong thing, but emphasized his positive qualities and their family life raising two children. She also noted that he has a wide circle of female friends and denied any prior inappropriate behavior.

Following the charges, Spencer was suspended from the Conservative Party. He entered a plea of not guilty to both counts of sexual assault. The trial remains ongoing as further evidence is examined and witnesses questioned.