SA Police says arrest of David Speirs was managed ‘no differently than any other drug investigation’

SA Police explained why it did not announce the arrest of David Speirs until after The Advertiser broke the story.

SA Police says it treated the arrest of former opposition leader David Speirs the same as it would any other person and, in doing so, did not intend to make the public aware.

More than a week lapsed between the arrest – at Berri on September 26 – and the time it was first made public by The Advertiser on October 5.

Premier Peter Malinauskas and Police Minister Dan Cregan were notified by Police Commissioner Grant Stevens early on September 27 – but they did not reveal the news out of consideration for police operations.

In a statement on Sunday, a police spokeswoman said “the investigation into the alleged activities of Mr David Speirs was managed no differently than any other drug investigation into any other individual”.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens. Picture: RoyVPhotography.

Premier Peter Malinauskas. Picture: Kelly Barnes

“It is not the practice of SA Police to either identify individuals who are charged with an offence once this has occurred or notify the media for cases such as this,” she said.

“It is the usual practice that the public learns of routine drug matters such as this when the individual facing the charges first appears in court.”

Mr Speirs has been charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance, and has quit parliament but vowed he will fight to clear his name.

Responding to questions about why Mr Malinauskas and Mr Cregan did not publicly reveal the arrest, a government spokeswoman maintained it was not their place.

“From time to time the Premier and Minister for Police will receive high level and confidential briefings in relation to sensitive or significant operational matters,” she said.

“It would not be appropriate for the Premier or minister to divulge this information as South Australia Police are best placed to weigh up the need to make a public statement against operational considerations.”

Liberal sources said Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia was not informed by police of Mr Speirs’ arrest, and was not made aware of the situation until Saturday.

It is understood no one in the parliamentary Liberal Party had knowledge of the arrest prior to the weekend – despite some MPs having had contact with Mr Speirs last week.

Both parties will now turn their attention to selecting candidates for a by-election that will be held in Mr Speirs’ seat of Black.

The date of the by-election is yet to be set but it could be held as early as mid-November.