Controversial Toronto mayor admits smoking crack

The mayor of Toronto has admitted he smoked crack when he was in a "drunken stupor".

Rob Ford’s admission to reporters follows months of accusations during which the embattled mayor refused to step down. The allegations that he had been caught on video smoking crack surfaced in May.

The video was recovered from a computer hard drive during an investigation of an associate of Mr Ford’s who is suspected of providing him drugs. Police have said they do not have grounds to charge the mayor with any crime.

“Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine,” Mr Ford told reporters 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 said last week they had obtained a copy of the video.

Earlier this week, Mr Ford apologised for “a lot of stupid things” and acknowledged the need to curb his drinking. But he did not address allegations of drug use and said he will continue to lead Canada’s largest city despite pressure to resign. “I’m going to weather this storm,” he said.

AP