Rob Ford getting help, apologizes for lewd comments

TORONTO (NEWS1130) – The mayor of Toronto has apologized for graphic language he used this morning, in response to claims of sexual misconduct.

“For the past six months, I have been under tremendous, tremendous stress. The stress is largely of my own making. I have apologized and I have tried to move forward; this has proven to be almost impossible,” said Rob Ford.

“The revelations yesterday of cocaine, escorts, and prostitution has pushed me over the line and I used unforgivable language. And again, I apologize,” he added. “These allegations are 100 per cent lies.”

“When you attack my integrity as a father and as a husband, I see red. Today, I acted on complete impulse in my remarks. I fully realize in the past, I have drank alcohol in excess. I wish you to know I am receiving support from a team of health care professionals. I am taking accountability and receiving advice from people with expertise. I do not wish to comment on the particulars of this support.”

Ford has also asked the media to give his family privacy. He is not taking a leave of absence.

Ford addresses former staffer claims

This morning, Ford said he’s suing a number of former staff members who told police the mayor did drugs and consorted with suspected prostitutes.

“Unfortunately, I have to take action against Isaac Ransom, George Christopoulos and Mark Towhey,” the mayor said this morning at city hall. “Unfortunately, I have no other choice. I’ve the last one to take legal action. I can’t put up with it anymore.”

The former staff members also spoke to police about apparent instances of the mayor’s drunken behaviour and supposed interactions with what has been reported to be prostitutes.

“I never had a prostitute here,” Ford said this morning.

Ford went on to talk about a entry in the document that said he made sexual comments about his former policy advisor, Olivia Gondek. He used explicit language to describe oral sex.

“[The document] says that that I wanted to eat her p****. I’ve never said that in my life to her, I would never do that,” Ford said. “I’m happily married and have enough to eat at home.”

He also said he will sue a waiter at the Bier Markt over his claims he was doing lines of cocaine.

Chaotic scene after mayor’s statement

Reporter Charlene Close with our Toronto station, 680News, has been covering the debacle at city hall and says “things reached a new low today.”.

“Then at the end of this two and half minute news conference, he can, in fact, go out a back door, we have seen that several times. When he wants to avoid the media, he can go through a back door. He decided this time to plow through this large, thick crowd of people in front of him to go through his front door.”

She says the body guards have also turned into bouncers. CityTV cameraman Alfredo Colangelo said the mayor grabbed the lens of his camera and shoved as two security guards then grabbed him by the shoulders and threw him down.

“It shows you just how ridiculous how this has become. A CityTV cameraman was pushed, another cameraman was punched a couple of times by one of the security guards.”

Colangelo said he’s never been treated that way at City Hall before.

Close says the situation has turned very sad as the world class city has turned into an international joke.

They were trying to have their regular council meeting today, but Close said at the start of the council meeting, when the mayor was trying to bring forward some items to speak about, at least ten of the 44 council members turned their backs on him, “sending a message that if you’re not listening to us, we’re not going to listening to you. It really is an incredible situation, a ridiculous situation and an unbelievable situation.”

Some media outlets are considering assault charges. The press gallery is filing a formal complaint with the city.

Ontario’s premier leaving things in the city’s hands

Ontario’s premier says her government will consider offering “new tools” to Toronto if city council decides it can’t function because of the Rob Ford scandal.

Kathleen Wynne says the province is watching the situation closely, adding the latest revelations about the Toronto mayor “are truly disturbing.”

But Wynne says it’s not the province’s role, or its intention to impose its preferences upon the municipal government in Toronto. She says it’s up to Toronto city council to deal with Ford following his admissions.

However, Wynne says if the city requests provincial action and cannot function, she will consult with the opposition parties.

Council motion on Ford

Yesterday, city council passed a motion 37-5 asking Ford to take a leave of absence. The vote is not binding and Ford can remain in office.

In a written statement, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Linda Jeffrey said they are “reviewing” the motion.

“Toronto City Council needs to function and we are watching developments closely as that’s the responsible thing to do. However, I encourage council to continue to work together to address the day to day needs of the people of Toronto.”

“We remain confident in the Toronto Police and their ongoing investigation.”

Argos statement on Ford wearing jersey

In a statement, the Toronto Argonauts commented on the fact that Mayor Ford wore an Argos jersey in his first address to reporters.

“The situation with respect to the mayor and his leadership is unseemly at best. These latest remarks, while wearing our team’s jersey, are particularly disappointing given our organization’s work in the community to help youth deal with issues of bullying prevention.”

“We hope for the benefit of the wonderful citizens of Toronto and this great city that this situation is resolved expeditiously.”