David Speirs left Mid Winter Charity Ball bound for Dairy Awards – but sources say he never showed

David Speirs’ behaviour on one of the days he allegedly supplied drugs raised the eyebrows of a well known SA media veteran.

• Why police didn’t disclose Speirs’ arrest

David Speirs abruptly left a charity ball on one of the dates he is alleged to have supplied drugs, saying he had to attend another event – but sources say he never appeared.

The then leader of the opposition delivered a speech to politicians, government officials and media at the Mid Winter Charity Ball at Morphettville Racecourse on the night of August 2.

Mike Smithson, chief reporter at Channel 7, told The Advertiser Mr Speirs left shortly after his speech, saying he had to attend the South Australian Dairy Awards at Adelaide Oval.

He said he was two seats away from Mr Speirs at a front row table when he noticed Mr Speirs appeared “agitated and fidgety” before his speech.

“I was one seat away, and he was rather chilly with me,” Mr Smithson said.

David Speirs at the SA Mid Winter Charity Ball on August 2 – the same day he allegedly supplied a controlled substance. Picture: Facebook

Mike Smithson, chief reporter at Channel 7, told The Advertiser Mr Speirs appeared “agitated and fidgety” before his speech. Picture: Facebook

“I could sense he was agitated about giving the speech. I thought it was quite good, and when he sat back down again there was no one between us, so I told him he’d done a great job. That compliment seemed to have taken him by surprise.”

Mr Smithson said Mr Speirs then abruptly got up and said he had to leave.

“That was before the main course had even arrived, and I remember thinking it was a bit strange for the leader of a political party, who was in a sponsored seat, to be leaving that early,” he said.

“He said he needed to go because he was due to make an appearance at the Dairy Awards. He took off then and there and I thought that was very odd.”

Mr Speirs quit the Liberal leadership on August 8.

On Saturday, The Advertiser revealed police raided Mr Speirs’ Kingston Park home on September 26. He was subsequently charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance between August 2 and 3 – the night of the ball – and on August 9.

In a video posted on social media on Saturday, Mr Speirs said “I am personally devastated by what has happened and I will fight to clear my name of the allegations”.

Multiple sources said Mr Speirs did not end up going to the Adelaide Oval for the awards event.

One senior dairy industry source said Mr Speirs had never RSPV’d, nor purchased a ticket, and was not there.

“He wasn’t there at all. I was told he was going to be there but he didn’t RSVP. I heard he was going to drop in, but who drops in to a gala sit down dinner event? Either buy a ticket or don’t come,” the source said.

Mr Speirs has been contacted for comment.