Former South Australian Liberal leader David Speirs has resigned from parliament after police confirmed he had been charged with drug offences.
Speirs issued a statement via Facebook on Saturday afternoon, confirming that he would be resigning as a Member for Blacks.
Earlier this year he denied any wrongdoing after the release of a video that allegedly showed him with white powder inside his home.
At the time, Speirs claimed it was a computer-generated video and a “deep fake.”
A South African police spokesman said in a statement Saturday that Speirs had been charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance and would appear in court at a later date.
“Police can confirm that on September 26, 2024, Mr Speirs was arrested in Berri and charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance between August 2-3 and August 9,” the spokesperson said.
«His home was then searched.
“Mr Speirs was granted bail and will appear in court at a later date.”
In August he resigned as state opposition leader and in September said he would take medical leave after consulting with health professionals.
David Speirs announced on Saturday that he would stand down from parliament as police confirmed he had been charged with drug offences.
In a statement, titled ‘I love our community.’ “I want you to hear this first,” Speirs announced on Saturday that he would resign as a Black MP when Parliament returns later this month.
“The last few months have been incredibly challenging for me and that culminated in my departure from the leadership of the Liberal Party in August,” he said.
‘I have endured a lot of pressure over the past few months. My mental health has decreased significantly. I haven’t been the best version of myself.’
David Speirs at a press conference before his resignation (left) and in a video he claimed was a ‘deepfake’ showing him apparently snorting a white powder in his home.
Speirs used the video to once again deny any allegations of illicit substance use and said he would continue to fight to clear his name.
“Since allegations of illicit substance use in my home became public, my home has been raided by armed police,” he said.
And they arrested me and interrogated me. I think there is someone quite sinister behind this.
“And while I am personally devastated by what has happened – and will fight to clear my name of any accusations – I am equally concerned about what is effectively the use of the power of the state government against someone who is a political opponent.”
