Ford says he is getting help, apologizes for remarks

TORONTO – Mayor Rob Ford said Thursday he is getting help from health care professionals for his excessive drinking, and also apologized for making “graphic remarks” earlier in the day.

“I’ve fully realize in the past I have drank alcohol in excess. I wish you to know I’m receiving support from a team of health care professionals,” Ford said during an afternoon news conference at City Hall, with his wife Renata at his side.

“I am taking accountability and receiving advice from people with expertise. I do not wish to comment on the particulars of this support.”

Ford also asked the media to respect his family’s privacy.

He also apologized for his graphic language earlier in the day when denying allegations by ex-staffers that he was intoxicated at work, drank while driving and associated with suspected prostitutes.

“The revelations yesterday of cocaine, escorts and prostitution have pushed me over the line and I used unforgivable language,” he said.

“These allegations are 100 per cent lies. When you attack my integrity as a father, and as a husband, I see red. Today I acted on complete impulse in my remarks.”

Ford also said he’s “been under tremendous, tremendous stress” for the past six months, and added that the “stress is of my own making.”

Ford addresses former staffer allegations

On Thursday morning, Ford said he’s suing a number of former staff members who told police the mayor did drugs and consorted with suspected prostitutes.

“Unfortunately, I have to take action against Isaac Ransom, George Christopoulos and Mark Towhey,” the mayor said this morning at city hall. “Unfortunately, I have no other choice. I’m the last one to take legal action. I can’t put up with it anymore.”

The former staff members also spoke to police about alleged instances of the mayor’s drunken behaviour and supposed interactions with alleged prostitutes.

“I never had a prostitute here,” Ford said on Thursday morning.

Ford went on to talk about a entry in the document that said he made sexual comments about his former policy advisor, Olivia Gondek.

He used explicit language to describe oral sex.

“(The document) says that that I wanted to eat her p****. I’ve never said that in my life to her, I would never do that,” Ford said. “I’m happily married and have enough to eat at home.”

He also said he will sue a waiter at the Bier Markt over his allegations he was doing lines of cocaine.

Chaotic scene after mayor’s statement

It was a chaotic scene following the mayor’s news conference as the mayor and his security team started shoving their way through reporters.

City cameraman Alfredo Colangelo said the mayor grabbed the lens of his camera and shoved as two security guards then grabbed him by the shoulders and threw him down.

Colangelo said he’s never been treated that way at City Hall before.

Some media outlets are considering assault charges. The press gallery is filing a formal complaint with the city.

Premier’s response on Ford controversy

At a news conference Thursday afternoon, Premier Kathleen Wynne commented on the latest developments surrounding Ford.

“The things we are seeing and hearing about Mayor Rob Ford are truly disturbing,” Wynne said.

She also said that if council indicates it can’t function, the province will respond.

“If council were to clearly indicate that they lack the ability to function as a result of this matter, the province would respond to a request from council to be provided new tools, depending on what that request might be,” Wynne said.

The premier said due to the unique nature of the request, she would have to “consult with the other party leaders to see if our legislature could move unanimously if required.”

Wynne also said that Toronto is a “great city in an amazing province” and that the city is “greater than one politician or one government.”

“The people of Toronto to know that we will not be defined by this.”

–With files from The Canadian Press