Ford: “I do not smoke crack cocaine”

Toronto mayor Rob Ford has broken his silence.

Speaking to reporters this afternoon at Toronto city hall, Ford says he does not use crack cocaine and slammed those who have judged him “without evidence.”

Ford’s statement came an hour after his executive committee publicly urged him to address the scandal. Ford said he had kept quiet on the advice of a lawyer but is now fighting back.

“I do not use crack cocaine, nor am I an addict of crack cocaine. As for a video, I cannot comment on a video that I have not seen and does not exist.”

His statement comes after six members of his executive committee penned a formal letter asking the mayor to directly respond to the allegations. Ford also expressed his regrets over being fired as coach of the Don Bosco high school football team during the scandal.