Former opposition leader David Speirs arrested and charged with supplying a controlled substance, will face court in November

Former opposition leader David Speirs stands accused of supplying a controlled substance – a charge that carries a maximum 10-year jail term.

Newly-resigned MP and former opposition leader David Speirs stands accused of supplying a controlled substance, SA Police has revealed – an offence that carries a maximum $50,000 fine and 10-year prison term.

In a statement to The Advertiser late on Saturday, a police spokeswoman confirmed Mr Speirs had been given police bail following a search of his home last month.

“Police can confirm that, on September 26, 2024, Mr Speirs was arrested at Berri,” she said.

“He was charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance between August 2 and 3 and on August 9.

“Following this his residential premises was subsequently searched … Mr Speirs was given police bail and will appear in court at a later date.”

August 2 was the night of the SA Midwinter Charity Ball at Morphettville Racecourse, at which Mr Speirs made a speech.

Mr Speirs resigned as Opposition leader on August 8.

The Advertiser understands Premier Peter Malinauskas was told on September 27 of Mr Speirs’ arrest, in an early morning phone call from Police Commissioner Grant Stevens.

It is understood that this was the first time Mr Malinauskas, Police Minister Dan Cregan or anyone in the government learned of the police investigation.

Mr Stevens’ call followed the arrest and charging of Mr Speirs in Berri the night before, on September 26.

A spokesman for Mr Stevens told the Sunday Mail: “If Mr Speirs has any concerns regarding an alleged conspiracy, he should report his concerns to the Independent Commission Against Corruption immediately.”

The police statement was issued just hours after The Advertiser revealed Mr Speirs’ home was raided, at about 11pm on Thursday, September 26, by officers undertaking forensic analysis.

Following that report – and having not responded to questions posed to him, through his legal counsel, by The Advertiser – Mr Speirs posted a social media video announcing his resignation from parliament.

He also said he would be suspending his Liberal Party membership.

In the video, he said he believed there “was someone pretty sinister behind this” and said he was “concerned about what is actually the use of state government power against someone who is a political opponent”.

Mr Speirs’ arrest, the raid on his home and his resignation all come in the wake of The Advertiser’s exclusive report, in September, of the existence of video showing him snorting what appears to be a line of white powder from a plate on his kitchen bench at 4.12am on June 30 this year.

He has maintained the video is a “deep fake”, however internationally-recognised forensic expert Dr Matthew Sorell found no evidence of synthetic generation or other modification.

Mr Speirs’ legal counsel has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Former opposition leader David Speirs arrested and charged with supplying a controlled substance, will face court in November