Under fire Toronto mayor Rob Ford has finally admitted that he smoked crack 'probably a year ago' when he was in a 'drunken stupor.'
Ford's admission to reporters on Tuesday follows months of accusations during which the embattled mayor refused to step down. The allegations that he had been caught on video smoking crack surfaced in May.
'Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine,' Ford told reporters on Tuesday outside his office.
Toronto mayor Rob Ford has finally admitted that he smoked crack 'probably a year ago' when he was in a 'drunken stupor' There have been times when I've been in a drunken stupor. That's why I want to see the tape. I want everyone in the city to see this tape. I don't even recall there being a tape or video. I want to see the state that I was in.'
Today's admission comes as a surprise, as recently as Sunday Ford had refused to address allegations of drug abuse although he did apologize for being 'hammered' in public and acknowledged the need to curb his drinking.
At the time he maintained that he would remain in his job despite mounting pressure to resign. 'I'm going to weather this storm,' he said.
Big talker: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford on his weekly radio show Sunday in Toronto
Still defiant: Despite mounting public outcry, from people such as this protester outside the radio studio, Mr Ford has declined to resign
Ford remarks on Sunday where made on his local weekly radio show at a time when he is facing growing pressure to resign after police said they had obtained a copy of a video that appears to show him puffing on a crack cocaine pipe.
Ford didn't address the contents of the tape, saying he cannot comment on a tape he hasn't seen.
'I just got to maybe slow down on my drinking,' Mr Ford said.
Ford acknowledged making 'mistakes' and that he can't change the past, but vowed 'to ride the storm out.'
'I want to move forward but to move forward I also have to make changes in my life which I will assure I will do,' Ford said.
Ford declined to take a leave of absence or resign.
'I sincerely apologize, there's absolutely no excuse, no one to blame but myself,' Mr Ford said. 'I am going to fight like no one has seen before to win the next election.'
Ford said he shouldn't' have been drunk in public when he appeared at the Taste of the Danforth street festival in August.
'That was pure stupidity,' Ford said.
'I shouldn't have got hammered down at the Danforth. If you are going to have a couple of drinks, you stay at home and that's it. You don't make a public spectacle of yourself,' Ford said.
Mr Ford also said he got 'a little out of control' after St. Patrick's Day in 2012. A city spokeswoman released last week an incident report from city hall security guards who said they witnessed a 'very intoxicated' Ford having trouble walking and swearing at aides that day.
The incident report said that at 2:30 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day, Mr Ford 'visited the security desk alone with a half empty bottle of St. Remy French Brandy.'
The report states the mayor said his car had been stolen and that he wanted to call police. Security told Ford his car was at home and took the bottle from him before finding him a taxi.
Mr Ford said you can't be 'running around with a half bottle of brandy' at City Hall at 2 a.m.
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