TORONTO – Mayor Rob Ford will no longer attend a police gala scheduled for Wednesday, according to published reports.
The mayor was invited to the Chief of Police gala, but in the wake of last week’s shocking admission that police had obtained the so-called crack video, he will not attend.
Ford’s staff told the Toronto Sun that the invitation had been retracted. The Globe and Mail obtained an e-mail from the mayor’s chief of staff that also said the invitation had been retracted and the mayor would not attend the gala.
Police told the Sun they did have a conversation with Ford’s staff about the “optics” of Ford attending but at no time was he “uninvited.”
Ford was scheduled to sit at the head table. The event raises funds for Victims Services Toronto.
The news comes just hours after Ford told radio station AM 640 his relationship with police was not damaged by the ongoing investigation.
“I have nothing against the police,” he said. “We have the best police force in the world — I never wavered on that.”
“These people (police) deserve an increase. I’m going to be hiring more police in this budget.”
On Thursday, police chief Bill Blair said investigators had recovered videos from a wiped hard drive, including one with images of Ford that were consistent with what news outlets had reported.
Ford has repeatedly said he does not use crack cocaine and his lawyer Dennis Morris has questioned how anyone could know what substance is shown on the alleged video.
Ford also made several public calls for police to release the video, including during a talk show appearance on AM640 on Monday. However, police said it’s up to the courts to decide whether evidence is released to the general public.
Calls for resignation
A group of Toronto protesters will call for Ford’s resignation on Nov. 13, the same day as the next city council meeting. The rally will be held at Nathan Phillips Square at noon.
Click here for more information on the rally.
–With files from The Canadian Press
