David Speirs will enter negotiations with prosecutors over two drug charges after footage surfaced of the former South Australian Liberal leader appearing to snort a white substance off a plate in his home.
Mr Speirs fronted Adelaide Magistrates Court this morning before Magistrate Lynette Duncan for his second appearance.
Court documents allege the former politician is facing two charges of supplying or administering a drug that is not cannabis to another person.
He originally faced two charges from August 2-3 and on August 9, but one charge had been dropped and the other was varied.
But it has been revealed today that the second charge has been relaid by Direct of Public Prosecutions Martin Hinton KC, The Advertiser reports.
Negotiations have reportedly started between Mr Hinton and the defence.
Mr Speirs has yet to enter pleas in response to the allegations. He is due to front court again at the end of March.
On September 9, News Corp published a video purportedly showing Speirs snorting a powder. He declared the footage to be a ‘deepfake’ and vowed to clear his name.
David Speirs (pictured) attended the Adelaide Magistrates Court for his second appearance over alleged drug supply on Tuesday
Two days later, he took medical leave, saying the past few days had been ‘exceptionally distressing’ and that he was left ‘feeling exceptionally vulnerable and at risk’.
On October 5, Mr Speirs released a video statement saying he did not believe he could ‘adequately and effectively serve my local community while also dealing with this matter, protecting my mental health and supporting my family and friends’.
‘Since allegations of illicit substance use in my home became public, my home has been raided by armed police, I was arrested and I was questioned,’ he said.
More to come.
