Deputy mayor urges Ford to speak

(Updated) The heat continues to turn up on Toronto mayor Rob Ford as he has yet to address allegations that he was caught smoking from what looked like a crack pipe.

Deputy mayor Doug Holyday, who had been defending Ford, is now saying that he needs to come out with a statement so the city can move on with its business.

Holyday says Ford told him that he had legal advice not to say anything.

“I would like the mayor to speak up regardless, I’ve said that right from the outset. The only story out there comes from the Toronto Star, and if the mayor has another version he should be out there putting that forward so people can make a decision.”

“At this point it hasn’t happened but I think the longer this goes on, the worse it gets.”

“we can do our business here. If the mayor was hospitalized or if the mayor went on a vacation, or if something else happened to take the mayor away from the seat of city hall here, we would still continue on with business. That’s the way that this is set up. This operation doesn’t depend on any one person.”

Ford has a meeting with his executive committee, which will present him with a letter urging him to make a statement. He’s not forced to step down and there are no legal measures to push him aside.

Ford’s chief of staff was fired this week, reportedly for asking him to seek professional help.

Media – including CHCH’s Sean Leathong – remain camped outside Ford’s office waiting to see if he does come out to make a statement.