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Toronto Mayor Rob Ford in video murder rant | Toronto Mayor Rob Ford in video murder rant |
(35 minutes later) | |
Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is embroiled in fresh controversy over a video which shows him threatening to commit "first-degree murder". | Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is embroiled in fresh controversy over a video which shows him threatening to commit "first-degree murder". |
As he resists calls to quit following his admission this week that he had smoked crack cocaine, Toronto media released a clip of the mayor in a rage. | As he resists calls to quit following his admission this week that he had smoked crack cocaine, Toronto media released a clip of the mayor in a rage. |
Mr Ford is shown gesticulating during a foul-mouthed rant in which he threatens to kill an unknown person. | Mr Ford is shown gesticulating during a foul-mouthed rant in which he threatens to kill an unknown person. |
He apologised for the video, saying he was "extremely, extremely inebriated". | He apologised for the video, saying he was "extremely, extremely inebriated". |
The latest footage looks as though it was secretly filmed on a mobile phone. | The latest footage looks as though it was secretly filmed on a mobile phone. |
An agitated Mr Ford paces a room while blowing off steam to people who cannot be seen. | An agitated Mr Ford paces a room while blowing off steam to people who cannot be seen. |
'Extremely embarrassing' | 'Extremely embarrassing' |
The context of the clip is not clear, nor is the target of Mr Ford's wrath. | The context of the clip is not clear, nor is the target of Mr Ford's wrath. |
He turns the air blue as he vows in a raised voice to rip out the person's throat, poke out his eyes and ensure his victim is dead. | He turns the air blue as he vows in a raised voice to rip out the person's throat, poke out his eyes and ensure his victim is dead. |
"No hold barred, brother," Mr Ford says in the clip. "He dies or I die." | "No hold barred, brother," Mr Ford says in the clip. "He dies or I die." |
He appears to be upset at someone who has called him and his brothers "liars, thieves". | He appears to be upset at someone who has called him and his brothers "liars, thieves". |
At one point an off-camera voice appears to egg on Mr Ford, saying: "Mike Tyson!" | At one point an off-camera voice appears to egg on Mr Ford, saying: "Mike Tyson!" |
After viewing the clip outside his office on Thursday, the 44-year-old Mr Ford told reporters: "It's extremely embarrassing and I don't know what to say." | After viewing the clip outside his office on Thursday, the 44-year-old Mr Ford told reporters: "It's extremely embarrassing and I don't know what to say." |
"I hope none of you have ever or will ever be in that state," the mayor told members of the media. | "I hope none of you have ever or will ever be in that state," the mayor told members of the media. |
"The whole world is going to see it," he added of the clip. | "The whole world is going to see it," he added of the clip. |
Drink problem | Drink problem |
Allegations of drug use by Mr Ford surfaced in May when journalists reported seeing footage of him smoking crack cocaine. | Allegations of drug use by Mr Ford surfaced in May when journalists reported seeing footage of him smoking crack cocaine. |
After months of ducking the question, Mr Ford acknowledged on Tuesday for the first time that he had taken the drug "probably a year ago" while in a "drunken stupor". | After months of ducking the question, Mr Ford acknowledged on Tuesday for the first time that he had taken the drug "probably a year ago" while in a "drunken stupor". |
He said he was "embarrassed" by his behaviour, but vowed to run for re-election. | He said he was "embarrassed" by his behaviour, but vowed to run for re-election. |
The mayor has not been charged, but city police chief Bill Blair has said authorities are in possession of the video which apparently shows Mr Ford smoking crack. | The mayor has not been charged, but city police chief Bill Blair has said authorities are in possession of the video which apparently shows Mr Ford smoking crack. |
On Sunday, Mr Ford admitted on his radio show that he had a drinking problem. | |
He acknowledged having been "hammered" at a street festival in August and "out of control" drunk at city hall during St Patrick's Day celebrations last year. | |
Mr Ford's allies on the city council say they have lost confidence in him. | Mr Ford's allies on the city council say they have lost confidence in him. |
But officials in Canada's largest city cannot legally remove the mayor unless he is convicted of a crime. | |
'Extraordinary times' | |
City Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, a member of Ford's executive committee, said on Thursday he would amend a motion he has filed for Mr Ford to take leave of absence. | |
The measure would ask Ontario province to pass an unprecedented law to remove the mayor from office. | |
"Quite frankly extraordinary measures are needed in extraordinary times," Councillor Minnan-Wong said. | "Quite frankly extraordinary measures are needed in extraordinary times," Councillor Minnan-Wong said. |
"This situation is deteriorating, it's not going away." | "This situation is deteriorating, it's not going away." |
Canada's Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, who is a Ford family friend, appeared emotional when asked on Thursday about the scandal. | |
"At the end of the day he [Mr Ford] has to make his own decision about what he ought to do," said Mr Flaherty. | |
"Certainly his family is helping him and wishing him well. That's all I can say." | |
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has expressed concern about Mr Ford's personal issues, but she stopped short of calling on him to stand aside. | Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has expressed concern about Mr Ford's personal issues, but she stopped short of calling on him to stand aside. |