Toronto Mayor Rob Ford admitted on Tuesday that he has smoked crack cocaine "probably in one of [his] drunken stupors," but reiterated that he will not resign, ABC News reported.
Following his public statement at Toronto City Hall, which was broadcast on CBC News, the city council asked Ford to take a leave of absence.
"With today's announcement, I know I embarrassed everyone in the city and I will be forever sorry. I feel like a thousand pounds have been lifted off my shoulders. I can't explain how difficult this was to do. I want to be crystal clear to every single person: these mistakes will never, ever, ever happen again. I have kept this from my family, my brother Doug, my staff, and my Council colleagues because I was embarrassed," Ford said.
The Toronto mayor said it had been a matter of semantics as to why in the past he repeatedly denied that he ever took the narcotic.
The admission comes "after more than six months of reports about a video that reportedly showed Ford inhaling from a crack pipe. Reporters from The Toronto Star... and Gawker.... said they had seen the video clip in May," ABC News reported.
Ford has expressed a strong desire to see the video, and have asked Toronto police to release it.
Ford had admitted on his radio show that he has a drinking problem, underscoring it something he has tried hard to amend in his life.
"To the residents of Toronto, I know I have let you down, and I can't do anything else but apologize. I know I have to regain your trust and your confidence. I love my job. I love my job, I love this city, I love saving taxpayers' money. I love being your mayor," Ford said in his apology on Tuesday.
