Toronto

Doug Ford downplays suggestion Bill Blair leaked information

Doug Ford is downplaying his previous comments that suggested Police Chief Bill Blair was involved in a leak of information motivated by a desire for revenge against the mayor Rob Ford.

Coun. Ford told CBC News he never said it was Blair, but that information regarding Rob Ford was leaked

Coun. Doug Ford wants to "move on" from comments he made that suggested Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair had something to do with a leak of information about a subpoena against Mayor Rob Ford. (CBC, Chris Young/Canadian Press)

Doug Ford is downplaying his previous comments that suggested Police Chief Bill Blair was involved in a leak of information motivated by a desire for revenge against Mayor Rob Ford.

But the Etobicoke councillor told CBC News on Sunday that a leak would have to come from somewhere.

"I get rambunctious and I'm entitled to my opinion,” Ford said. “I never said it was [Blair] personally who leaked the information… [The leak] had to come from somewhere the police, the Crown attorney or the Attorney-General." 

On Friday morning, detectives attempted to serve the mayor with a subpoena to appear in court for the extortion case against Sandro Lisi — his friend and former driver suspected of trying to retrieve the infamous crack video.

Following news of the subpoena, Doug Ford said that Blair and other Toronto Police told the media about the subpoena before informing the mayor.

"You wonder why we need a change at the top? This is why we need a change at the top," said Ford, referring to Blair.

Blair quickly shot back Friday, saying that Ford was “lying” and that he was prepared to take “legal action” over such comments.

When asked if he was retracting his statements, Ford said that he wanted to “move on from what he said about Bill Blair” and that he supports the frontline officers and the police chief.