6 Nov 2013

Toronto mayor admits smoking crack cocaine

1:50 pm on 6 November 2013

Toronto mayor Rob Ford has admitted smoking crack cocaine saying he had done so in a "drunken stupor".

Mr Ford made the confession to reporters at city hall, saying he had taken the drug about a year ago but was not an addict, the BBC reports.

The mayor said he had kept his illicit behaviour from his family, staff and political colleagues.

Mr Ford has vowed to stay on and run for re-election next year, dismissing calls he resign.

His admission follows revelations that a video apparently showing him smoking crack cocaine - long rumoured in the media to exist but never released publicly - was in the possession of the police.

The mayor had previously called for the release of the video.