Ombudsman probe into security handling under Rob Ford being released Thursday
Posted April 29, 2015 7:28 am.
Last Updated April 29, 2015 10:43 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The city’s ombudsman is reportedly set to come down hard on Rob Ford and how security was handled at city hall while he was mayor.
The Toronto Star reports Fiona Crean’s review, which is due out on Thursday, suggests security staff were used as his personal bodyguards, and at least one of them helped hide his substance abuse.
The guard in question is said to have put his hand over a CCTV camera at city hall to keep it from recording Ford stumbling through the building.
The report also looks into how security failed to ensure the safety of politicians, staff and the public. For example, Crean questions why security didn’t take action when Ford knocked over Coun. Pam McConnell while interacting with the public gallery.
Crean is also expected to highlight the oversight of security staff by senior officials.
“The whole series of events was very unfortunate. I think it gave the city a bad reputation here and abroad,” Mayor John Tory said on Wednesday morning.
“Hopefully the report goes some distance to say that we can find ways ways to do better, in terms of how we do security and frankly, how people behave themselves.”
The ombudsman conducted the review after receiving multiple complaints. It will be presented to council next week.
