David Speirs pleads guilty to drug supply charges in Adelaide Magistrates Court

David Speirs has made a shock admission in court over his drug supply charges, after earlier claiming a video of him appearing to snort a white powder was a fake. Watch it here.

• ‘Deepfake’ that ended Speirs’ career
• Expert’s verdict on video

David Speirs has admitted he supplied a controlled drug to two other people in his final days as the sitting and serving leader of the Liberal Opposition in South Australia.

On Thursday, Speirs stood in the dock of the Adelaide Magistrates Court with his hands behind his back as he pleaded guilty to drug offending.

Counsel for Speirs said they could enter pleas on their client’s behalf but Magistrate Brian Nitschke insisted Speirs enter them personally.

Asked whether he had supplied a controlled drug to two separate people in August last year, Speirs replied: “Guilty”.

The offences to which Speirs has pleaded guilty carry a maximum penalty of a $50,000 fine or a 10-year jail term.

He will face sentencing submissions next month and, outside court, told media he did not think it wise to comment on the case.

However, he said his pleas were entered in the interest of finalising the matter as quickly as possible.

“For me, this is about bringing the matter to a conclusion as quickly as possible, that’s the best thing for me at a personal level, and that’s why I’m taking this approach,” he said.

“I am focused on moving through this process as quickly as possible and that has influenced the approach that I’m taking.”

Speirs, 39, was charged with two counts of supplying or administering a controlled drug, other than cannabis, to another person at Kingston Park between August 1 and 10, 2024.

David Speirs, the former SA Liberal leader, leaves court on Thursday after pleading guilty to a drug offence. Picture: RoyVPhotography

David Speirs outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday. Picture: RoyVPhotography

His arrest was made public a month after The Advertiser published a video of Speirs appearing to snort white powder in his kitchen.

Metadata shows that video was recorded on June 30, 2024 – Speirs was Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Party at that time, and quit on August 8.

Speirs claimed it is a deepfake, but a top forensic analyst concluded it was “authentic” with no indication of tampering.

On Thursday, counsel for Speirs said they and prosecutors agreed the case could be resolved in the magistrates’ court.

Legally, that means Speirs potentially faces a less-severe penalty than he would have if the matter was committed to the District Court for sentencing.

Speirs’ counsel asked the court to set aside at least an hour for sentencing submissions, saying there was a “significant amount of material” to be discussed.

Mr Nitschke agreed, and remanded Speirs on continuing bail to face court in two weeks.

Outside court Speirs said it would be “inappropriate” to comment further.

“So I’m not going to make any further comment today … I’d like the cameramen to move out of the way.”

Senior Labor frontbencher Tom Koutsantonis, also the Leader of Government Business in parliament’s lower house, said it was “a very, very sad day for politics in this state and a very, very humiliating day for the Liberal Party”.

“The truth is here that even after he was charged with these drug offences, and even after this video emerged of Mr Speirs, that perpetuated this myth that somehow these images were fabricated or a hoax,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

“And I think it’s a vindication of the journalism involved here that Mr Speirs has finally pleaded guilty.

“I’ve got to say, it’s a pretty sad and ordinary day for the Liberal Party of South Australia, who claim that they are the alternative government.

“Less than a year out from the election, the man that they had kept in office for three years as their leader is potentially facing jail.

“It is a very, very sad indictment on the Liberal Party and their processes that someone like this could actually lead the Liberal Party.

“Someone like this was their choice to be the alternative premier of the state.

“Just imagine had this man become premier … just imagine had this man actually led our state and this had occurred, and the implications for South Australia and our reputation globally.”

Speirs leaves court with his counsel. Picture: RoyVPhotography

Deputy Opposition Leader Josh Teague, a former barrister, said the matter was before the courts and Mr Speirs was no longer a Liberal Party member.

“He is, like anyone who finds themselves dealing with matters before the courts, entitled to do so, and to do so in an orderly way,” he said.

“I wish him well, and I otherwise won’t have anything more to say about the legal process which must be... left to run its course.”

Asked if it was a sad result for someone who was previously his party leader and wanted to be Premier, Mr Teague said Mr Speirs “may have something to say about that in due course”.

“What we all do in public life is something that really leaves all aspects of our lives up to public scrutiny – that goes with the territory,” he said.

“And David Speirs has left the leadership, he has left the parliament and he, as a private citizen, is entitled, like everybody, to go through a difficult time and to do so with the respect for that process and the time that he has to go through.

“We’re in contact from time to time, and I hope that he’s in good shape.

“I hope that as he deals with this, he does so well-advised, and I wish him well for the future.”

Originally published as David Speirs pleads guilty to drug supply charges in Adelaide Magistrates Court