David Speirs to quit parliament after police raid and arrest
UPDATED | SA Police say they have charged former Opposition leader David Speirs with two counts of supplying a controlled substance, after the MP announced he would resign from parliament following his arrest in a police raid last week.
A short time ago, police released a statement titled “Man arrested for drug offence”, saying Speirs had been arrested on September 26.
“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,” police said in a statement.
“Following this his residential premises was subsequently searched.
“Mr Speirs was given police bail and will appear in court at a later date.”
The statement came after Speirs posted a video on social media this afternoon announcing he would resign as the Member for Black when parliament returns for its next sitting week on October 15.
Speirs has been on mental health leave for the last three and a half weeks after The Advertiser published a video on September 9 which appeared to show him sniffing powder from a plate. Speirs said at the time the video was a “deepfake or elaborate hoax”.
In the video posted on Facebook earlier this afternoon, Speirs said his mental health “has been in significant decline” since he resigned as Opposition leader in August.
He also said this would be “the hardest video that I’ve ever recorded”.
“I’ve not been the best version of myself and I’ve not been the best version of David Speirs,” he said.
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“I’ve spent time with people who did not bring out the best in me to be quite honest.
“Since allegations of illicit substance use in my home became public, my home has been raided by armed police and I was arrested and I was questioned.
“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, I’m equally concerned about what is actually use of state government power against someone who is a political opponent.
“I could continue in parliament, and I could defend myself while also working as an MP, but I don’t believe that I can adequately and effectively serve my local community while also dealing with this matter, protecting my mental health and supporting my family and friends who are gathered around me.
“For me it’s time to move on. I want to rebuild myself over the coming months and into the future, I want to be a better son, I want to be a better friend, to be honest I want to be a better person.
“That will take time, and I believe it’s best done away from public life.
“As such I do intend to step down formally from parliament in the next sitting week.”
Speirs said he informed Opposition leader Vincent Tarzia of his decision prior to his announcement.
“I’ve informed the state Liberal leader and the party and I’m going to suspend my membership while I seek to resolve this matter, but I certainly remain committed to and true to Liberal values and the cause of the Liberal Party,” Speirs said.
Tarzia held a press conference this afternoon, confirming that he spoke with Speirs around midday.
He also said the Liberal Party state executive met today and ratified Speirs’ decision to cancel his membership.
Tarzia said he first learned of the police raid on Speirs’ house today, and referred questions about the investigation to Speirs’ legal team and SA Police.
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Asked if he would continue to support Speirs, Tarzia said: “I’m not sure what you mean by support, I mean obviously this is a very challenging situation.”
“This is a matter for David, and if it goes through the courts, it’s going to be really hard time for him,” he said.
“I will be focused on making sure that we can do everything possible to – now that he’s made this decision – preselect our next candidate, and make sure that we do everything possible to retain that seat.”
Speirs was Opposition leader from April 2022 before he sensationally resigned in August 2024, saying he “had a gutful” of leaks and undermining.
His resignation in the southern suburbs seat of Black will trigger a by-election.
The Liberal Party’s margin in Black is currently 2.8 per cent.
Senior figures in both the major parties believe Speirs carries a personal vote and his absence makes the seat more winnable for Labor.
Asked if he was going to stay in contact with Speirs, Tarzia said: “I think I’ve been really clear well along the way that I’ve always had concerns, especially in recent times, about David’s mental health.
“Today, when I saw that video, I saw a young man who’s certainly struggling. He’s struggling with a whole range of things and I think at the end of the day he is a human being.
Opposition leader Vincent Tarzia addressing David Speirs’ resignation today. Photo: Thomas Kelsall/InDaily“He’s asked for privacy. I think we should respect that privacy. Now that matter is before the courts we’ve got to respect that process.”
Speirs said today he would not be making any more public statements.
“Since leaving the leadership of the Liberal Party, I’ve had immense media intrusion into my life.
“It has been really really difficult and it has left me and family and friends fearful to even going into our own homes.
“That has compounded my mental health challenges, and I hope, I ask that this ends.
“As such I’ll be making no more public statements about this matter. This statement is primarily for the community that has supported me and I hope it’s comprehensive enough to answer your questions.”
