Ford denies inappropriate comments, groping allegations
Posted March 8, 2013 6:31 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is denying that he made inappropriate comments and groped a former mayoral candidate during a political fundraising event on Thursday evening.
“Early this morning, false allegations were made regarding a number of disgusting actions,” Ford said in a statement. “I am shocked, dismayed and surprised. I can say without hesitation that they are absolutely, completely false.”
Sarah Thomson says while saying hello to the mayor at a party thrown by the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee on Thursday night, Ford engaged her in an “inappropriate conversation.”
She posted a photo on Facebook with the following caption: “Thought it was a friendly hello to Toronto Mayor Rob Ford at the CJPAC Action Party tonight until he suggested I should have been in Florida with him last week because his wife wasn’t there. Seriously wanted to punch him in the face. Happy International Women’s Day!”
Thomson also posted details of it on Twitter.
“There were a lot of people around. I’m not sure if people actually heard it that i was with. I wouldn’t have gone up to people and said he did this to me would you get him out of here,” Thomson said in an interview with CityNews Channel.
“There were two people I went up right away. They didn’t see it. There were kind of shocked but they said yeah he was kind of out of it tonight,” Thomson recounted the event on Thursday night.
Ford released a statement on Friday afternoon:
“Last night I had the pleasure of attending a wonderful event to support the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee.
This is an event that is attended by numerous political leaders and where I have been a guest in the past.
Early this morning, false allegations were made regarding a number of disgusting actions. I am shocked, dismayed and surprised. I can say without hesitation that they are absolutely, completely false.
What is more surprising is that a woman who has aspired to be a civic leader would cry wolf on a day where we should be celebrating women across the globe.
This is a day we should all take the time to reflect upon the women in our lives and in our society. It is a day when we can envision the changes we want to make in our communities to ensure that all people are equal and that violence and discrimination against women comes to an end.”
Thomson told 680News political affairs specialist John Stall she posted it on social media because she was angry. Listen to the interview below:
Thomson told Stall she isn’t looking to press charges or sue, but she is looking for an apology.
Slideshow of photos from the CJPAC event posted to social media:
