Rob Ford Bans Press From Press Conference

Toronto mayor says he's 'ashamed and humiliated' by his behavior
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 30, 2014 3:30 PM CDT
Rob Ford: 'I'm Ashamed and Humiliated'
In this Dec. 10 2013 file photo, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford attends a news conference at City Hall in Toronto.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young, File)

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's return today was part mea culpa and part campaign-stump speech at a press conference where some reporters were banned, the National Post and Toronto Star report. "Thanks to my treatment, I can proudly say today that I have begun the process of taking control of my life," Ford said on his return from eight weeks of rehab. He admitted to being addicted to alcohol and drugs, said he was "ashamed and humiliated," had "no one to blame but myself," and apologized to the entire city—including Councilor Karen Stintz for rude remarks he'd made about her.

"For a long, long time, I resisted the idea of getting help," he said. "I was in complete denial. ... The staff at GreeneStone saved my life." He then shifted gears into a campaign speech, touting his achievements and his vow to "stop the gravy train" at City Hall. He took no questions, however, so no word on the woman charged with a DUI in May while driving his luxury SUV. And not all reporters were on hand, after a Ford official told them the mayor's protocol office was too small. "There’s no reason it has to be in that specific location as opposed to the member’s lounge," said an excluded reporter who said he felt "shock, anger, frustration, and momentarily, disbelief" when told of the ban. (More Rob Ford stories.)

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