Former South Australian Liberal leader David Speirs charged with drug offences

Former South Australian Liberal Leader David Speirs has quit parliament after police confirmed he had been charged with drug offences.

Mr Speirs released a statement via Facebook on Saturday afternoon, confirming that he would stand down as the Member for Black.

He earlier this year denied any wrongdoing after the publication of a video which allegedly showed him with a white powder inside his home.

At the time, Mr Speirs claimed it was a computer-generated video and a ‘deep fake’.

An SA Police spokesperson on Saturday said in a statement that Mr Speirs had been charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance and would appear in court at a later date.

‘Police can confirm that on September 26, 2024, Mr Speirs was arrested at Berri and charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance between August 2 and 3 and on August 9,’ the spokesperson said.

‘Following this his residential premises was subsequently searched.

‘Mr Speirs was given police bail and will appear in court at a later date.’

He in August quit as the state’s opposition leader and in September said he would take medical leave after conferring with health practitioners.

In a statement, headed ‘I love our community. I want you to hear this first’, Mr Speirs on Saturday announced he would quit as the Member for Black when parliament returns later this month.

‘The last few months have been incredibly challenging for me and that culminated in me leaving the leadership of the Liberal Party in August,’ he said.

‘I have endured many pressures over the last few months. My mental health has been in significant decline. I’ve not been the best version of myself.’

David Speirs at a press conference before his resignation (left) and in a video he claimed was a ‘deepfake’ showing him appearing to snort a white powder in his home

Mr Speirs used the video to once again deny any allegation of using illicit substances and said he would continue to fight to clear his name.

‘Since allegations of illicit substance use in my home became public, my home has been raided by armed police,’ he said.

‘And I was arrested and I was questioned. I believe there’s someone pretty sinister behind this.

‘And while I am personally devastated by what has happened – and I will fight to clear my name of any allegations – I’m equally concerned about what is actually the use of state government power against someone who is a political opponent.’