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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 has apologised for a video of him making threats to commit "first-degree murder" against an unknown person.
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. The leader of Canada's biggest city told reporters he had been "extremely inebriated" in the clip, which shows him apparently blowing off steam.
Mr Ford is shown gesticulating during a foul-mouthed rant in which he threatens to kill an unknown person. It is the latest video controversy to engulf the mayor, who admitted this week having smoked crack cocaine.
He apologised for the video, saying he was "extremely, extremely inebriated". Councillors are stepping up their calls for Mr Ford, 44, to resign.
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 gesticulating during a foul-mouthed rant.
'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 vows 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." The mayor appears 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". "No hold barred, brother," Mr Ford says in a raised voice. "He dies or I die."
At one point an off-camera voice appears to egg on Mr Ford, saying: "Mike Tyson!" An off-camera voice eggs 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, 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 said of the clip.
Drink problemDrink 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 a video that apparently shows Mr Ford smoking crack.
On Sunday, Mr Ford admitted on his radio show that he had a drinking problem.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.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. But officials in North America's fourth largest city cannot legally remove the mayor unless he is convicted of a crime.
'Extraordinary times''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. City Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, a member of Mr Ford's executive committee, said on Thursday he would amend a motion he has filed for the city leader to take leave of absence.
The measure would ask Ontario province to pass an unprecedented law to remove the mayor from office.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.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."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.""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.