TORONTO, Canada: Toronto’s disgraced mayor, who has admitted to smoking crack and binge drinking, said he’s “not perfect” and takes full responsibility for the embarrassment he’s caused.
But, in interviews with US broadcasters aired yesterday, a defiant Rob Ford (pictured) — who on Monday was stripped of most of his remaining powers — disputed he has an alcohol problem.
“I’ve embarrassed not just myself, my family, my friends, my supporters, the whole city,” Ford told NBC’s Today show.
“I take full responsibility for that. We’ve all made mistakes ... I’m not perfect.”
However, when asked if he was in an alcohol treatment programme, the mayor said: “No, I have a weight issue. Have been training every day.”
In remarks to ABC’s Good Morning America show, also aired yesterday, he pledged to reform his behaviour but noted that “talk is cheap.”
“Come back in five months. If you don’t see a difference, you can say, Rob, I don’t believe you,” he said. “Go take a drug test or urine test or alcohol test. No problem.”
In the latest chapter of an ugly, embarrassing saga in Canada’s biggest city and economic hub, Ford on Monday was largely reduced to a figurehead by the city council — but he again refused to step down.
Ford has spoken of taking court action and said the only judgement he should face is that of voters at the ballot box next year.
“This is going to be outright war,” said the mayor, who has faced a swell of outrage over a litany of misdeeds, both admitted and alleged, since police revealed they had video footage of him smoking crack.
Ford admitted he had smoked the drug and apologised for his antics, including what he described as his many “drunken stupors.” New allegations of misconduct and his lewd remarks in denying harassment claims deepened the scandal, prompting widespread calls for
his resignation. AFP
