Toronto Mayor Rob Ford takes a break from his re-election campaign as new video emerges
[They] put this f****ing flag up, ahead of our Canadian flag. I said, no, [that's-what-I'm-trying-to-say] that's bull****. Bull****. They went to Queen's Park, they said "no way." Tim Hudak comes out and says "yeah I agree with all the gays." That's it. I lost my conservative value. Rob Ford
That is Toronto Mayor Rob Ford in an audio recording taken by an anonymous patron at a Toronto bar and obtained by the Toronto Sun. Mr Ford appears to be talking about the decision by Ontario's Conservative Opposition leader Tim Hudak to support the decision to fly the rainbow Gay Pride flag next to the Canadian flag in support of gay rights during the Sochi Olympics earlier this year.
Last night Toronto Mayor Ford announced he is stepping away from the mayoralty campaign so he can get help for his substance abuse problem. He is not withdrawing his candidacy. The announcement came as the Toronto Sun reported it had audio of the mayor ranting and making lewd comments at a Toronto bar.
I have a problem with alcohol, and the choices I have made while under the influence. I have struggled with this for some time.Rob Ford
Not long afterward, the Globe and Mail revealed that two of its reporters had seen new video footage of mayor Ford smoking what appears to be crack cocaine.
Greg McArthur is one of those Globe and Mail reporters. He was in Toronto.
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This segment was produced by The Current's Howard Goldenthal.