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David Speirs to face Court on drug charges
November 2024
Former SA Liberal leader David Speirs to face court charged with drug offences, police confirm.
South Australian police say former Liberal leader David Speirs has been charged with two counts of
supplying a controlled substance.
The member for the SA state seat of Black said he was arrested and questioned by police after
"allegations of illicit substance use" at his home emerged several weeks ago.
Mr Speirs says he will fight to clear his name "of any allegations", and says he intends to resign from
parliament in the next sitting week later this month.
South Australia's former Liberal leader has been charged with drug offences and will face court,
police have confirmed.
In a statement, SA Police said David Speirs was arrested at Berri on September 26 before police
searched his home.
He has been charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance in early August, police
said.
"Since allegations of illicit substance use at my home became public, my home has been raided by
armed police, and I was arrested and I was questioned," Mr Speirs said in a video statement on
Facebook.
Police have since confirmed Mr Speirs will face court.
"As a result of the public statement made on social media by MP David Speirs in which he reveals he
had been arrested, 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," a police spokesperson said.
"Mr Speirs was given police bail and will appear in court at a later date."
In an earlier statement, police said they searched a property on Strickland Road at Kingston Park on
September 26 "as part of an ongoing investigation".
The member for Black said he intends to resign from parliament later this month, adding his mental
health has been "in significant decline".
"I've not been the best version of myself. I've not been the best version of David Speirs, and I have
spent time with people who did not bring out the best in me, to be quite honest," Mr Speirs said.
"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."
In his video, he said he did not believe he could adequately serve his community "while dealing with
this matter, protecting my mental health, and supporting my family and friends".
"As such, I do intend to step down formally from parliament in the next sitting week.
SA Liberal leader Vincent Tarzia said he met with the state executive of the party on Saturday, which
has ratified the decision to suspend Mr Speirs's membership.
Mr Tarzia said the party is "focused" on pre-selecting "the best candidate" for the south-western
Adelaide seat of Black before nominations close on Tuesday.
"We'll make sure that we do everything possible to make sure that seat stays with the Liberal party,"
Mr Tarzia said.
(Source abc.net.au)
Greek Tribune
Adelaide, South Australia