Former South Australian Liberal leader David Speirs has resigned from parliament after being charged with supplying drugs, clearing the way for a by-election in his southern Adelaide seat.
Speaker Leon Bignell received a resignation letter from Mr Speirs on Monday, ten days after the Member for Black revealed he had been arrested and his home raided by police.
"It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve my community as a representative in the House of Assembly and I wish all members success as they seek to do their very best for the state of South Australia," Mr Speirs wrote in his letter to Mr Bignell.
Mr Speirs resigned as opposition leader on August 8, declaring that he had "just had a gutful" of leadership speculation and did not have the energy to keep fighting.
On September 9, News Corp published a video purportedly showing Mr Speirs snorting a powder.
He declared the footage to be a "deepfake" and vowed to clear his name.
Two days later, he took medical leave, saying the past few days had been "exceptionally distressing" and that he has been 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.
Police confirmed Mr Speirs was arrested at Berri, in SA's Riverland, on September 26 and charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance between August 2 and 3 and on August 9.
He was granted bail and will face court in November.
In a statement, Mr Bignell said he had received the Member for Black's resignation letter.
"Tomorrow, I will announce the resignation in the House of Assembly and confirm a suitable date for a by-election in the electorate of Black," the statement said.
Mr Speirs is not expected to attend parliament to make a valedictory speech.
His resignation will be formally announced to the House of Assembly on Wednesday by Mr Bignell.
Vincent Tarzia, who replaced Mr Speirs as Liberal leader, has already announced that Holdfast Bay Mayor Amanda Wilson will be the Liberal candidate.
High school teacher Alex Dighton, who ran against Mr Speirs at the 2022 state election, will be the Labor candidate.
Mr Speirs was environment minister in the Marshall Liberal Government and was elected opposition leader in April 2022 after former premier Steven Marshall stepped aside following a heavy state election loss.
