Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford 'may enter rehab'

 

Thair Shaikh
Saturday 09 November 2013 13:48 GMT
Comments
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has suffered a series of crises recently
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has suffered a series of crises recently

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

After a string of embarrassing recent revelations involving class A drugs and violent death threats, the Mayor of Toronto Rob Ford is considering entering a rehabilitation program, his lawyer has said.

Dennis Morris said that Mr Ford is "considering his options" and that treatment is "one of them."

But he warned that Mr Ford needs to say what he plans to do himself because "when you go left, he goes right." He added: “It's best we hear from his lips."

Mr Ford’s gesture to seek help comes a day after a video emerged of him threatening to commit “first-degree murder” against an unknown person during a drunken rant.

In the video Mr Ford says he wants to rip out an unnamed person's throat, poke out his eyes and kill him.

The agitated politician seems to vent his anger at someone who has called him and his brothers “liars, thieves”.

"No holds barred, brother. He dies or I die," the mayor tells someone else in the room.

The mayor has said he was “extremely, extremely inebriated,” when the film was taken.

On Friday Mr Ford refused to discuss what his next steps would be as he entered Toronto’s City Council building.

"I'm dealing with a serious personal issue right now. Please give me this time," he said.

Earlier this week the mayor admitted to having smoked crack cocaine after video footage was obtained by police who allege he can be seen smoking the drug.

Mr Ford, 44, who was elected Mayor in 2010, has apologised for his behaviour in both videos, but he has refused to resign or take leave of absence despite intense pressure.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in