Politics

Toronto Mayor Pressured to Step Aside

Over his crack admission

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City councilors called on Toronto's deputy mayor to "orchestrate a dignified" departure for Mayor Rob Ford, who was greeted by angry protesters on his first day of work after acknowledging he smoked crack.

Deepening the crisis, Ford's long-time policy adviser Brooks Barnett resigned, continuing an exodus from his office that started in May when news reports emerged of a video showing the mayor smoking what appears to be crack. Police announced last week they had a copy of the video, which has not been released publicly.

After months of evading the question, Ford acknowledged for the first time Tuesday that he smoked crack "probably a year ago" when he was in a "drunken stupor." But he refused to step aside despite immense pressure.