South Australia's former Opposition Leader David Speirs has appeared in court on drug offence charges. Mr Speirs is charged with supplying a controlled substance after a video emerged which allegedly shows him snorting powder off a plate.
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00:00The former Liberal leader David Spears just left court behind me a short time ago after
00:06his first hearing.
00:08The public first became aware of the charges against Mr Spears when SA Police released
00:12a statement last month saying the 39-year-old had been arrested and charged with supplying
00:17a controlled substance in September over offences allegedly committed in early August.
00:23That same day Mr Spears had already posted a video to social media confirming that police
00:28had raided his home and also questioned him.
00:31He resigned from politics just days after his arrest was made public, but he'd already
00:36been on medical leave after a video was published by News Corp which appeared to show him snorting
00:41powder from a plate and was reportedly filmed inside his home.
00:46In the Christie's Beach Magistrates Court today, Mr Spears' lawyers were successful
00:50in getting his bail conditions varied so it means he can now travel overseas.
00:54The court didn't hear whether Mr Spears will defend the charges but he did make a brief
00:59statement to the media outside of court.
01:01Let's take a listen.
01:03I acknowledge this has been a very difficult time for me personally, a very difficult time
01:09for friends and for family members and no for me it's just a time to get around friends
01:16and family.
01:17Now Mr Spears' official departure from politics has triggered a by-election in the southern
01:22suburb seat of Black and tomorrow residents in that electorate will head to the polls
01:27to vote for their next local member.
01:29Today Mr Spears said he'd already cast his vote for the Liberal candidate Amanda Wilson
01:34who was running up against the candidate from Labor, Alex Dighton.
01:38For now though, Mr Spears will remain on bail ahead of his next court appearance in March
01:43when he faces a charge determination hearing.