Toronto mayor Rob Ford admits using crack cocaine in a 'drunken stupor' | World news | The Guardian Rob Ford Toronto mayor Rob Ford admits using crack cocaine in a 'drunken stupor' The mayor's admission follows months of speculation stemming from a video which allegedly shows Ford smoking the drug Tuesday 5 November 2013 13.39 EST First published on Tuesday 5 November 2013 13.39 EST Close This article is 3 years old Toronto mayor Rob Ford admitted on Tuesday that he had smoked crack cocaine "about a year ago", probably in a "drunken stupor". Allegations over his drug use have swirled around Ford for months amid rumours of the existence of a video that showed him smoking crack. He previously denied such a video existed, but Toronto police last week said they had recovered the video. His admission on Tuesday came during a scrum with reporters at Toronto city hall. The mayor asked reporters to repeat questions asked of him in May after Gawker first reported on the existence of the "crack video". One said: "Have you smoked crack cocaine?" "Exactly. Yes I have smoked crack cocaine" he replied. "But, no, do I?

Am I an addict? No. Have I tried it? Um, probably in one of my drunken stupors, probably approximately about a year ago." Ford, who has been mayor since 2010, said he did not lie when reporters asked him about a video which allegedly shows him smoking the drug. "You didn't ask the correct questions," Ford said to the reporters. "No I'm not an addict and no, I do not do drugs. I made mistakes in the past and all I can do is apologize, but it is what it is and I can't change the past." Ford's admission follows mounting pressure on him to resign after police said they found a tape which appeared to show him puffing on a crack cocaine pipe. Last Thursday, police announced that a video had been recovered from a computer drive during an investigation of one of the mayor's associates who is suspected of providing him with drugs. Three days ago, Ford apologized for being "hammered" in public and acknowledged the need to curb his drinking, but he didn't address allegations of drug use. In remarks made on his local weekly radio show on Sunday, he said he would remain in the job, despite calls for his resignation.

Earlier on Tuesday, the mayor's brother, councillor Doug Ford, called a press conference outside Ford's office to accuse the police chief, Bill Blair, of bias, after Blair called on the mayor to step down, according to the National News. Rob Ford, Toronto Mayor, Admits Having Smoked Crack Cocaine (VIDEO) | The Huffington Post Rob Ford, Toronto Mayor, Admits Having Smoked Crack Cocaine (VIDEO) 11/05/2013 12:24 pm ET | Updated Jan 23, 2014 3.7k Toronto mayor Rob Ford admits having smoked cocaine, CBS reports on Tuesday . According to the Associated Press, Ford admitted to using crack "probably a year ago" during a "drunken stupor." He made the revelations to reporters at City Hall. "I answered your question," Ford added, according to The Globe and Mail . "You ask the question properly, I’ll answer it. Yes, I’ve made mistakes. All I can do now is apologize and move on.” More from the Associated Press : TORONTO (AP) — Rob Ford said Tuesday he loves his job and will stay on as mayor of Toronto despite admitting for the first time that he smoked crack.

Ford earlier acknowledged he smoked crack "probably a year ago" when he was in a "drunken stupor," but balked at growing pressure on him to resign. "I was elected to do a job and that's exactly what I'm going to continue doing," Ford said. "On Oct. 27 of 2014, I want the people of this great city to decide whether they want Rob Ford to be their mayor." The allegations that the mayor of Canada's largest city had been caught on video smoking crack surfaced in news reports in May. Ford initially insisted the video didn't exist, sidestepped questions about whether he had ever smoked crack and rebuffed growing calls on him to step down. The mayor was forced to backtrack after police said last week they had obtained a copy of the video in the course of a drug investigation against a friend of Ford's. "Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine," Ford told reporters earlier outside his office. "There have been times when I've been in a drunken stupor. That's why I want to see the tape. I want everyone in the city to see this tape. I don't even recall there being a tape or video.

I want to see the state that I was in." Police have said the video, which has not been released publicly, does not constitute enough evidence to charge the mayor with a crime. Police spokesman Mark Pugush said Ford's acknowledgement of crack use will be passed on to investigators. Several Toronto city councilors called on Ford to step down and Canada's justice minister urged him to get help. Ford, 44, earlier walked out of his office and asked reporters to ask him the question they first asked him in May. He then acknowledged he smoked crack but said: "Am I an addict? No. Have I tried it, probably in one of my drunken stupors a year ago." Municipal law makes no provision for the mayor's forced removal from office unless he's convicted and jailed for a criminal offense. City Councilor Denzil Minnan-Wong, a member of Ford's executive committee, said he would put forward a motion asking Ford to take a leave of absence. "My first reaction was 'Wow'," Minnan-Wong said. Councilor Jaye Robinson said the mayor needs to step aside and address his problems. "We have become a laughing stock of North America, if not the world," Robinson said.

Canada's Justice Minister Peter MacKay said it was "a sad day for the city of Toronto." "As a human being, I think the mayor of Toronto needs to get help," MacKay said. Ford later told the Toronto Sun newspaper that he is not stepping down or taking a leave of absence. "I feel like I got 1,000 pounds off my back," Ford told the paper, which is sympathetic to the mayor. "I felt like I had to say it. It is what it is. I feel two inches high right now but I needed to deal with it. I am not going to quit or take a leave." The populist Ford has been dogged by allegations of bad behavior since becoming mayor three years ago, promising to end what he called wasteful spending at city hall. His campaign galvanized conservatives in Toronto's outlying suburbs, where initiatives like downtown bike lanes were considered excessive and elitist. The crack episode is not the first time Ford has been forced to admit drug use. During the campaign, Ford acknowledged after repeated denials that he was busted for marijuana possession in Florida in 1999. Ford apologized over the weekend for excessive drinking.

He said he shouldn't have been drunk in public when he appeared at a street festival in August, calling it "pure stupidity." He also said he got "a little out of control" after St. Patrick's Day in 2012, when city hall security guards said they witnessed a "very intoxicated' Ford having trouble walking and swearing at aides. Ford said he was "hammered" at that street festival this summer. The mayor has also been accused of make an obscene gesture from his car and texting while driving. In 2011, Ford angered the city's gay community by declining to attend Toronto's gay pride parade, breaking with tradition that three previous mayors had kept up. Earlier this year, the mayor was fired from his cherished side-job as a volunteer high school football coach after he made disparaging remarks to a TV network about parents and their kids. On Tuesday, Ford's brother, Doug, criticized Police Chief Bill Blair for saying he was "disappointed" in the mayor after police recovered the tape last week. Doug Ford called the chief's comments "inappropriate" and "biased" and said Blair should step aside. "We have the most political police chief we have ever seen," said Doug Ford, an influential city councilor.

"The police chief believes he's the judge, the jury and the executioner." Blair says he responded honestly when asked about his feelings after watching the video. The allegations about Ford smoking crack surfaced when two reporters with the Toronto Star and one from the U.S. website Gawker said they saw the video but they did not obtain a copy. Ford vilified the Toronto Star, accusing the paper of trying to take him down. The mayor has called on the police to release the tape, but police said they are prohibited from doing so because it is evidence before the courts. Police said the video will come out when Ford's associate and occasional driver, Alexander Lisi, goes to trial on drug and extortion charges. Lisi is accused of threatening two alleged gang members who had been trying to sell the video to the media. Police have said they want to talk to the mayor, but his lawyer so far has declined.

Also on HuffPost: Toronto mayor Rob Ford admits to smoking crack cocaine in 'drunken stupor' - Telegraph Toronto mayor Rob Ford admits to smoking crack cocaine in 'drunken stupor' Canadian apologises to voters but insists he is no addict and pledges to 'move on' By Jon Swaine , New York 6:50PM GMT 05 Nov 2013 Follow The Mayor of Toronto has admitted to smoking crack cocaine during a “drunken stupor”. Rob Ford, who has spent the past six months refusing to comment on reports that he was recorded on video using the drug, finally confessed during a press conference on Tuesday. “Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine,” said Mr Ford. “But do I? Am I an addict? No.” He added: “It is what it is, and I can't change the past”. Asked when he had used the drug, he replied: “Probably in one of my drunken stupors, approximately about a year ago. Yes, I made mistakes, and all I can do now is apologise”. Bill Blair, Toronto's police chief, said last week that his officers had obtained the video clip, which a drug dealer had tried to sell to the media.

“As a citizen of the city, I am disappointed,” he said. Related Articles Toronto mayor denies he's a crack addict 25 May 2013 Mr Ford, a 44-year-old conservative Independent, refused to resign and continued avoiding questions about crack. However on Sunday he admitted that he “drank a little too much at times”. Having pledged to cut down on his alcohol consumption, on Tuesday he told reporters outside his office at City Hall that his drinking was to blame for his consumption of the highly addictive drug. Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Photo: REUTERS “There have been times when I've been in a drunken stupor,” he said. And that's why I want to see this tape. I want everyone in the city to see this tape. I'd like to see this tape. I don't even recall there being a tape, or this video. So I want to see the state that I was in.” Declaring that "all I can do now is apologise and move on,” the mayor said he was sorry “to my family, my friends, my colleagues and the people of this great city”.

Mr Ford played down his about-turn on the subject, wrongly stating that the media had only asked whether he was a crack cocaine addict, rather than whether he had ever smoked the drug. “I wasn't lying - you didn't ask the correct questions,” he said. His extraordinary remarks came six months after Gawker, a news website, reported that it had watched a clip showing Mr Ford holding a “clear, glass pipe” and a lighter, and had been offered the recording for $200,000. The Toronto Star newspaper then reported that its journalists had also watched the video and confirmed that it showed Mr Ford using the drug and making offensive comments. Anthony Smith, a 21-year-old university student also alleged to appear in the video recording, was later shot dead outside a nightclub in Toronto in an apparent gangland-style killing. Alexander Lisi, a friend and sometime driver for Mr Ford, was last week charged with extortion in connection with an alleged attempt to recover the video. Mr Ford, who has one year of his four-year term remaining, faced renewed calls to resign after his admission and was sharply criticised by members of the Toronto City Council.

“Mayor Ford claims to represent the 'little guy',” said one, Kristyn Wong-Tam, in a Tweet. “The 'little guy' and your Average Joe as far as I know do not smoke crack cocaine.” Toronto Mayor Ford says he's giving up alcohol for good FacebookEmail Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest Toronto Mayor Ford says he's giving up alcohol for good Mayor Rob Ford, who has admitted to heavy drinking and even smoking crack while in a drunken stupor, says he is finished will alcohol and will never drink again. Post to Facebook Toronto Mayor Ford says he's giving up alcohol for good Mayor Rob Ford, who has admitted to heavy drinking and even smoking crack while in a drunken stupor, says he is finished will alcohol and will never drink again. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: CancelSend A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. 46 To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs Toronto Mayor Ford says he's giving up alcohol for good Doug Stanglin, USA TODAY Published 9:28 a.m. ET Nov. 19, 2013 | Updated 9:50 a.m.

ET Nov. 19, 2013 The mayor is upbeat about his political future despite being stripped of his key powers. Toronto Mayor Rob Ford raises his fist in a mock salute in the council chamber as Councillors acts to pass motions to limit his powers in Toronto Nov. 18, 2013. (Photo: Chris Young, The Canadian Press/AP) Mayor Rob Ford, who has admitted to heavy drinking and even smoking crack while in a drunken stupor, says he is finished will alcohol and will never drink again. Ford made the pledge in an interview Monday with the CBC's chief correspondent Peter Mansbridge: "You're done with alcohol now?" Mansbridge asked. "Finished," Ford said. "You'll never drink again?" Mansbridge said. "Finished. I've had a come-to-Jesus moment, if you want to call it that." MORE: Mayor Rob Ford zingers you'll want to share His comments in a round of interviews Monday followed a rowdy meeting of the Toronto City council in which he was stripped of the last of his key powers, leaving him as largely a figurehead mayor of Canada's largest city.

The move comes after a year of scandal in which the 44-year-old mayor, who took office in 2010, has admitted smoking crack cocaine, shocked the city with his vulgar language and erupted into profane diatribes against his political opponents. Ford, who engaged in a shouting match with hecklers in the public gallery, called the council's vote a "coup d'etat." The council does not have the power to remove a mayor for office, only limit his power. Ford, and his brother, councilman Doug Ford, also appeared Monday night in the premier of their new reality TV show Ford Nation, where he adknowledged -- but played down -- some of his mistakes. "I know in my heart everyone has personal problems," Ford told viewers. "I urinated in a parking lot … what does that have to do with anything?" In media appearances, Ford is both contrite about his behavior and bullish about his political future. He says he still would like to run for prime minister of Canada one day. "When it comes to running this city, I've run this city better than any mayor ever has," he told the CBC.

In a joint interview that included his brother, the mayor told Matt Lauer of NBC's Today that he is on a weight-loss program, but is not going through rehab. "I'm not in any drug treatment programs,'' he told NBC Today's Matt Lauer . "I have a weight issue. I've been training every day. All I can say is actions speak louder than words. I invite you to come back. Give me five or six months, and if they don't see a difference, I'll eat my words." He also freely acknowledged that he had let down his closest supporters. "I'm embarrassed,'' Ford said. "Not just myself, my family, my friends, my supporters, the whole city. I take full responsibility for that. We've all made mistakes. I'm not perfect. Maybe you are, maybe other people are, (but) I've made mistakes." His brother, an ardent defender of the mayor, admitted to Lauer that he, too, is worried about his brother's behavior. "His weight issues, when he goes on a binge, when he goes, if you want to call it binge-drinking, and I hear about it, yeah, it's concerning,'' Doug Ford said.

"Do I know, on a personal side, has Rob been 100 percent honest? No, he hasn't." Rob Ford jumped in to stress he does not engage in binge drinking every week, but had been inebriated in the past. He also conceded, at Lauer's prodding, that he was fortunate not to have been faced with a city crisis while he was impaired. "It's very few isolated incidents that it's happened," that he's been impaired on the job, he told Lauer. "And you're absolutely right. I'm very fortunate that that hasn't happened, but that could happen with anybody at any time." As for his political future, the combative Ford noted his success in cutting the city budget and said he will "let the people decide" when he comes up for re-election in October. "They're not going to find another Rob Ford,'' he said. 703 CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN 46 COMMENTEMAILMORE Read or Share this story: NEVER MISS OUT The Short List Let us bring the headlines to you every night. Stay current and catch up on the biggest stories of the day.

Toronto Mayor Ford says he will not resign despite admitting to smoking crack | Fox News Toronto Mayor Ford says he will not resign despite admitting to smoking crack Published November 05, 2013 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 livefyre Email Print Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has admitted to smoking crack, saying Tuesday that he did it “probably a year ago” during a “drunken stupor,” but says he loves his job and will continue as mayor. “Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine,” Ford said in a scrum with reporters outside his city hall office, according to CBC. "No I’m not an addict and no, I do not do drugs. I made mistakes in the past and all I can do is apologize, but it is what it is and I can’t change the past.” Despite his admission, Ford against insisted he would not resign. Ford said Tuesday he will continue in his job and will seek re-election next year. Municipal law makes no provision for the mayor's forced removal from office unless he's convicted and jailed for a criminal offense. City Councilor Denzil Minnan-Wong, a member of Ford's executive committee, said he would put forward a motion asking Ford to take a leave of absence. More On This...

"My first reaction was 'Wow'," Minnan-Wong said. Councilor Jaye Robinson said the mayor needs to step aside and address his problems. "We have become a laughing stock of North America, if not the world," Robinson said. The admission came after Ford dodged a direct question on the issue a day earlier during a radio talk show appearance about whether he has ever used crack cocaine. On Sunday, Ford apologized for "a lot of stupid things" and acknowledged the need to curb his drinking. When asked by the host of The John Oakley Show if he has ever used crack Monday, Ford responded by saying only that he was not a drug addict or an alcoholic. Ford continued to insist that he doesn't have an addiction when he was asked if he would be able to recognize the signs of addiction. "If I am an addict I could not show up to work every single day and you know I cannot miss work," he said. The populist, conservative mayor was interviewed on the show addressing a media storm that broke after police revealed last week that they had obtained a copy of a video that appears to show the mayor puffing on a crack cocaine pipe.

The video was recovered from a computer hard drive during an investigation of Alexander Lisi, an associate of Ford's who is suspected of providing him with drugs. Police have said they don't have grounds to charge the mayor with any crime. Ford didn't address the contents of the video Sunday, saying he cannot comment on a tape he hasn't seen. He pleaded with police to release the video to the public. However, police have said they cannot release the video because it is evidence in the Lisi case. Police said the video will come out when Lisi goes to trial on drug and extortion charges. Lisi is accused of threatening two alleged gang members who had been trying to sell the video to the media. Earlier Tuesday, Ford's brother, Doug, criticized Police Chief Bill Blair for saying he was "disappointed" in the mayor after watching the video. Doug Ford called the chief's comments "inappropriate" and "biased" and said Blair should step aside. "We have the most political police chief we have ever seen," said Doug Ford, a Toronto City Councillor. "The police chief believes he's the judge, the jury and the executioner." Blair says he responded honestly when asked about his feelings after watching the video.

Police have said they want to talk to Ford, but his lawyer so far has declined. Ford on Sunday acknowledged making "mistakes," saying he was referring to being inebriated in public and texting while driving. He did not say much about the contents of the alleged video. He said that while he's not going to curb his drinking altogether, he'll slow down on "the eating and drinking and everything." Councilor Sarah Docuette said Monday that she doesn't think many councilors feel like his apology is enough. "I still feel he should step aside, look after himself, look after his family and do what's best for him because what is best for him is what is best for the city." "I don't think it (the apology) was adequate," said Councilor Gloria Lindsay Luby. "It didn't address what most people were very concerned about, which were the drug allegations." Toronto's deputy mayor Norm Kelly said Monday that while Ford's public apology "may not be the one that everyone had anticipated," it was enough. "I think that apology and the acknowledgment together, and a commitment to change his behavior is a good first step," Kelly said.

"I'll hold him to his commitment, and hopefully time will prove that he's made the right decision." All four major Toronto newspapers have called on Ford to resign. Ford, 44, whose term ends in Oct. 2014, vowed Sunday to run for re-election and the crack smoking allegations do not seem to have hurt him with his base in the Toronto suburbs. According to a Forum Research poll conducted on Nov. 1 — a day after the police announcement — the mayor's approval rating rose to 44 percent from 39 percent, with 98 percent of respondents saying they were aware of the news of the recovered video. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Advertisement Toronto Mayor Rob Ford admits to smoking crack - BBC News BBC News Toronto Mayor Rob Ford admits to smoking crack 5 November 2013 Close share panel Media captionToronto Mayor Rob Ford: "Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine" Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has admitted smoking crack cocaine in a "drunken stupor", despite denying he had taken the drug. Mr Ford told reporters at city hall he had taken the drug about a year ago but was not an addict.

The mayor has rejected calls for his resignation after the revelation that a video apparently showing him smoking crack was in police possession. He has defied calls to quit, vowing to run for re-election next year. "Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine," Mr Ford said outside his office on Tuesday. "There have been times when I've been in a drunken stupor. That's why I want to see the tape. "I want everyone in the city to see this tape. I don't even recall there being a tape or video. I want to see the state that I was in." 'It is what it is' But Mr Ford maintained to reporters that when he previously denied using the drug: "I wasn't lying. You didn't ask the correct questions." Media captionMayor Ford has had a difficult relationship with the media Six months ago, the mayor said: "I do not use crack cocaine, nor am I an addict." On Tuesday, he said: "I made mistakes in the past and all I can do is apologise.

But it is what it is and I can't change the fact, and I can apologise to my family, my friends, my colleagues and the people of this great city." The allegations of drug use surfaced in May after the gossip website Gawker and the Toronto Star reported the video's existence, but it has never been released publicly. Rob Ford: In his own words... On an investigation into an aide: "It's actually no-one's business what happens in my office." On his Toronto neighbourhood: "This is an insult to my constituents to even think about having a homeless shelter in their ward." On cyclists: "My heart bleeds for them when someone gets killed. But it's their own fault at the end of the day." On public health: "If you are not doing needles and you are not gay, you wouldn't get Aids probably, that's the bottom line." On his visit to western Canada: "I'm telling you, you can insult their wives, but don't insult their football teams. It was an amazing experience." One city councillor has put forward a motion demanding the mayor take a leave of absence and co-operate with a police investigation, Canadian media report.

Another councillor, Jaye Robinson, told broadcaster CBC that Mr Ford no longer has "a shred of credibility". "The real issue is getting the mayor to address his health issues, step aside [and] take a leave of absence, as I've been saying for six long months" she said. Last week, Canadian police said they had recovered footage from a deleted hard drive that appeared to show Mr Ford smoking from a crack pipe. Police have not revealed details of the mobile phone clip, but say it is consistent with previous descriptions from media organisations that had viewed it. They have also not charged Mr Ford with any offence. His friend and occasional driver Alexander "Sandro" Lisi faces charges of marijuana trafficking, possession and extortion in the wake of a broader police investigation. Police have said they expect the video will come out when Mr Lisi goes to trial. Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Ford's brother criticised Police Chief Bill Blair for saying last week he was "disappointed" with the mayor. Doug Ford called the chief's comments "inappropriate" and "biased" and called on him to step aside. Amid his disgrace, the Toronto city leader may take heart from the political comeback of Washington DC Mayor Marion Berry.

He was jailed after being videotaped smoking crack cocaine in 1990, but was re-elected to lead city hall four years later. Twitter erupts after Mayor Rob Ford admits to smoking crack ‘in a drunken stupor’ Twitter erupts after Mayor Rob Ford admits to smoking crack ‘in a drunken stupor’ Matthew Coutts Twitter erupts after Mayor Rob Ford admits to smoking crack ‘in a drunken stupor’ More Toronto Mayor Rob Ford admitted to smoking crack cocaine and, as one Twitter user cleverly declared, the world's entire supply of schadenfreude was depleted in half an hour. Indeed, Twitter exploded in the moments after Ford made the stunning admission. Comedians laughed, citizens raged and those inside Toronto's political world tried to wrap their heads around what exactly had happened. Among the fallout was the birth of the Twitter hashtag #InaDrunkenStupor , with pays homage to Ford's bizarre claim that he didn't remember smoking crack because he was too drunk at the time. Here are some of the best from Twitter, mixed in with some reaction from the real world. Hardcore, Rob Ford. I'm now cool with movies shooting Toronto for New York.

— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) November 5, 2013 Yesterday, Rob Ford said he did not have a drinking problem. Today he claimed he got so drunk he smoked crack. Uh.... — Will McAvoy (@WillMcAvoyACN) November 5, 2013 Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she will not get involved but is very concerned. "What’s happening at city hall is of great concern to everyone in the city of Toronto. I am not going to pre-empt what the mayor may or may not do. The mayor will have to make his decisions about what is appropriate right now," said Wynne. "He’s going to have to take action that he thinks is appropriate for the city of Toronto — that’s his responsibility. "My concern is that what is happening at City Hall makes it very difficult for the business of city hall to carry on in a normal way. That is my biggest concern as a citizen of this city and the premier." HAPPENING NOW: protestors outside city hall calling on Rob Ford to resign.

pic.twitter.com/JZU3ZvaxCn — Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) November 5, 2013 Rob Ford: Train wreck taking place aboard the Titanic as its hit by a crashing Hindenburg. #TOpoli — Gerry Nicholls (@GerryNic) November 5, 2013 Conservative Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong, after drafting a motion to call for Ford to take a leave of absence: "I think he’s lost the moral authority to lead. We’re in unchartered territory.” Toronto mayor Rob Ford admits smoking crack cocaine but refuses to resign | World news | The Guardian Share on Messenger Close Hours after dropping a bombshell admission that he had smoked crack cocaine in a "drunken stupor" during his time in office, the mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, made his second startling announcement of the day on Tuesday: that he would not be stepping down. At a press conference shortly after he told reporters he had smoked crack as recently as a year ago, Ford apologised to the people of Toronto for embarrassing them.

"With today's announcement, I know I have embarrassed everyone in this city, and I will be forever sorry," Ford said at a press conference. "There's only one person to blame for this and that is myself." Allegations over his drug use have swirled around Ford for months amid reports of a video that allegedly showed him smoking crack. He had previously denied such a video existed, but last week, Toronto police said they had recovered a recording which appeared to show him puffing on a crack pipe. Appearing in front of reporters who had been waiting outside his office for two hours following his earlier admission over his cocaine use, Ford gave a short speech in which he apologised several times. He said admitting what he described as "my mistake" was the most difficult and embarrassing thing he has ever done, but that doing it gave him a huge sense of relief. He appealed to the people of Toronto and his colleagues to forgive him, telling them he would never do it again. But there was little recognition for what effect his continuing as mayor may have on the people of Toronto. Neither was there any reference to calls from his colleagues in the council and beyond for him to step aside in order to get help.

Ford said: "I know admitting my mistake was the right thing to do, and I feel like a 1,000lb weight have been lifted from my shoulders. I can't explain how difficult this was to do. I hope that nobody but nobody would have to go through what I have gone through. I know what I did was wrong, and admitting it was the most difficult and embarrassing thing I've ever had to do. "Folks, I've nothing left to hide." Ford was bullish in the face of calls for his resignation, appealing directly to the voters. "I know I have to regain your trust and your confidence. I love my job and I love saving taxpayers money – and I love being your mayor." He told them: "I was elected to do a job, and that's exactly what I'm going to continue doing." He said that in October 2014, the city's next election date, "I want the people of Toronto to decide whether they want Rob Ford to be their mayor.' Leading figures, including Canada's federal justice minister, Peter McKay, have called on Ford to get help following his admission over his drug use, and councillors have asked he take leave of absence.

But councillors are powerless to fire a sitting mayor. In the hours before the press conference, they explored ways for the council to assert control. At least two motions were put forward on Tuesday, including one that would remove his powers to hire and fire members of the council. Such a motion would give councillors in positions of power the freedom to oppose Ford. Councillor John Filion of Willowdale and Councillor Paul Ainslie of Scarborough have proposed a motion to amend procedural bylaws in order to remove Ford's powers to hire and fire members of his executive committee. Filion told reporters he was proposing a motion that he hoped would "isolate the chaos". Changing the procedural bylaw requires the support of two-thirds of the city council. Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, who has been one of Ford's most loyal allies and a member of his executive committee, said he should apologise to the people of Toronto. Moments after Ford made the bombshell admission, Minnan-Wong said: "I think he's lost the moral authority to lead. We're in uncharted territory." Minnan-Wong said he will bring a motion to the next city council meeting asking Ford to take a leave of absence.

"It is very disappointing to have the mayor of the City of Toronto admit to smoking crack cocaine," he told reporters. "I was disappointed at two levels: firstly that he did it, but secondly that it took him so long to admit it." The motion reads : "The evidence presented to date suggests the mayor has a substance abuse problem. The mayor consorts with known criminals and/or individuals involved in the sale and distribution of drugs. The mayor misled the residents of Toronto." Ford told reporters: "I kept this from my family – especially from my brother, Doug – [from] my staff, my council colleagues … because I was embarrassed and ashamed. To the residents of Toronto, I know I've let you down, and I cannot do anything else but apologise." His initial admission on Tuesday came during a scrum with reporters. The mayor asked them to repeat questions asked of him in May after Gawker first reported on the existence of the "crack video". One said: "Have you smoked crack cocaine?" "Exactly. Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine" Ford replied. "But, no, do I? Am I an addict? No. Have I tried it?

Um, probably in one of my drunken stupors, probably approximately about a year ago." Ford, who has been mayor since 2010, said he did not lie when reporters asked him about a video which allegedly shows him smoking the drug. "You didn't ask the correct questions," Ford said to the reporters. Topics Rob Ford: 'Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine' | Toronto Star Crime Rob Ford: 'Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine' Rob Ford said he smoked crack about a year ago. “I don’t even remember. Probably in one of my drunken stupors.” ▶ Mayor Rob Ford has admitted using crack cocaine. He made the revelation to reporters at City Hall.(Toronto Star) By Daniel DaleCity Hall Bureau Chief Tues., Nov. 5, 2013 Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has admitted that he used crack cocaine while in office. “Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine,” Ford told reporters outside his office. “But no, do I, am I an addict? No. Have I tried it? Probably in one of my drunken stupors, probably approximately about a year ago. I answered your question. You ask the question properly, I’ll answer it. Yes, I’ve made mistakes.

All I can do now is apologize and move on.” Ford, who will be making a further “announcement”this afternoon, said he did not know the exact circumstances of his crack use. “I don’t even remember,” he said. “Some of the stuff that you guys have seen me, the state I’ve been in? It’s a problem.” Ford’s bombshell concession may end his political career. He said in May that he does not smoke crack — using the present tense — but steadfastly refused to answer when asked repeatedly if he had ever smoked crack or done so while in office. Article Continued Below “I wasn’t lying. You didn’t ask the correct questions,” he said. “No, I’m not an addict and no I do not do drugs. I made mistakes in the past and all I can do is apologize but it is what it is. And I can’t change the past and I can apologize to my family, my friends, my colleagues and the people of this great city.” Mayor Ford speaks to media outside of his office and admits to crack cocaine use.

(Richard Lautens / Toronto Star) | Order this photo In a bombshell revelation, Mayor Rob Ford told a news conference, "I have smoked crack cocaine." He added: “I am not an addict. I wasn’t lying. You didn’t ask the correct questions." (FRED THORNHILL / REUTERS) On mobile? Click here to follow our live blog. In fact, Ford was asked repeatedly whether he has ever smoked crack. He dodged the question as recently as yesterday morning, saying simply that he is not an addict. “You ask the question properly, I’ll answer it,” Ford said Tuesday. “Yes, I’ve made mistakes. All I can do now is apologize and move on.” In a post-admission interview, Ford said he still plans to remain in office. “I feel like I got 1,000 pounds off my back,” Ford told the Toronto Sun’s Joe Warmington. "I felt I had to say it. It is what is. I feel two inches high right now but I needed to deal with it.

I am not going to quit or take a leave." Related: · Councillors start to move against Rob Ford It is not yet clear, though, whether he will be able to “ride the storm out,” as he pledged Sunday. Nobody can force him out — Toronto’s council has no impeachment power, and the provincial government does not want to intervene — but he will not be able to function without the support of aides allies who are now reeling. Ford’s staff had no idea he planned to make the admission. “I have no reason to resign,” Ford said on Thursday. Cocaine possession is a criminal offence that can be punishable by prison time. Ford’s admission came six months after he said at a news conference, “I do not use crack cocaine. Nor am I an addict of crack cocaine.” It came five days after police Chief Bill Blair confirmed that there is a video of Ford appearing to smoke crack, and after a judge released a police document showing that Ford had participated in clandestine package exchanges with an accused drug dealer.

And it came mere hours after his brother, Councillor Doug Ford, launched an unprecedented attack on the police chief, Bill Blair, whom he urged to take a leave of absence over “bias” against the mayor and whom he accused of attempting to “put a political bullet right between the mayor’s eyes.” Doug Ford, in fact, held a news conference attacking Blair about an hour before his brother emerged from a city hall elevator and made his comments. The police will not comment on the mayor’s admission, a spokesperson said. Councillors began to take action against Ford even before the admission. Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, the chair of the public works committee and a conservative ally, put forth a strongly-worded motion asking Ford to apologize for “misleading” council about the video and take a leave of absence. “We as a Council believe the mayor’s conduct is unacceptable and must stop. He is hurting himself. He is hurting the City of Toronto,” Minnan-Wong said in the motion, which was seconded by another member of the executive, Councillor Peter Milczyn. The scandal began in May, when two Star reporters and the editor of the U.S.

website Gawker revealed that they had seen a clear video of Mayor Ford smoking what appeared to be crack from a glass pipe, calling Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau a “fag” and his high school football players “f------ minorities.” Ford denied until this week that the video existed. “There’s no video,” he said on his radio show in May.

Question: What city's mayor, Rob Ford, admitted to smoking crack while in a drunken stupor?
Answer: Toronto