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Toronto mayor Rob Ford loses more powers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24990650

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David Willis says a wall by city hall has become the focus of people's anger at the mayor
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The Toronto city council has voted to remove most of Mayor Rob Ford's remaining powers as the embattled city leader refuses to step down.

Among the items voted on were a reduction in Mr Ford's budget and delegation of many of his powers to the deputy mayor.

Mr Ford, 44, who has promised to fight the council's decisions, labelled the vote as a "coup d'etat".

The mayor of Canada's largest city has faced intense pressure to resign.

He has acknowledged buying illegal drugs while serving as mayor and admitted to smoking crack cocaine.

Mr Ford abstained from Monday's vote, but promised "outright war" in the next election against the councillors who opposed him.

"Every one of you guys have sinned," he said. "What goes around comes around, friends. Remember what I am saying."

Earlier Mr Ford ran through the gallery, accidentally knocking over female city councillor Pam McConnell before catching her.

Ms McConnell was later seen putting ice on her lip.

'The worst spokesman'
Monday's motion may reduce Mr Ford's budget to the level of a city councillor, giving control to deputy mayor Norm Kelly, largely making Mr Ford mayor in name only.

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Rob Ford

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Profile: Rob Ford
The council does not have the power to remove Mr Ford from office unless he has a criminal conviction.

Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, once a Ford ally - now one of his most outspoken critics - said the mayor's conduct was embarrassing the city.

"He's the worst spokesman for the city of Toronto right now," he said.

The Toronto council began stripping away his powers on Friday, voting 39 to 3 to prevent him from being able to dismiss the deputy mayor and taking away his emergency powers.

His older brother, Councillor Doug Ford, has called him "the mayor of the people" and said the rights of those who voted him into office were being trampled as the council takes up additional motions.

Despite the scandal, Mr Ford does not seem inclined to shun the spotlight.

He gave interviews to US media organisations over the weekend and appeared at a Toronto Argonauts game, despite the Canadian Football League commissioner suggesting he should not.

Mr Ford and his brother are set to launch their own current events television programme on Monday evening.

The show, Ford Nation, is named after the bloc of conservative, suburban voters who put Mr Ford in office in 2010.

On Sunday, Mr Ford told US broadcaster Fox News he had "admitted to drinking too much", but said he was dealing with it, including going to the gym two hours every day.

"I'm seeking professional help, I'm not an alcoholic, I'm not a drug addict," he said. "Have I had my outbursts in the past? Absolutely.

"But you know what, I'm only human. I've made mistakes. I've apologised."

He added: "Yes, one day I do want to run for prime minister."

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford: In his own words
The Toronto mayor apologised again on Thursday for making an obscene outburst on live television while denying he had offered oral sex to a female staff member.

He had been responding to allegations in court papers that he had also driven drunk, used racially abusive language, threatened staff and consorted with an alleged prostitute.

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What he meant to say was, "I drive by the gym in a drunken stupour every day. Sometimes it takes two hours depending if I have a mickey or a forty pounder with me."