Doug Ford has issued a statement in response to an allegation that he called a Toronto Star reporter a “little bitch” after last night’s mayoral debate.
According to media reports, the comment was aimed at reporter Jennifer Pagliaro, after speaking to members of the media at the CTV/ CP24 debate Wednesday night. Although not speaking directly to her, he allegedly uttered the words “I can’t stand that little bitch,” as he was leaving the debate.
In a statement issued after the accusation became public Wednesday night, Ford said he is “being accused of something that is not accurate.”
“I never said anything about the Toronto Star reporter. This reporter heard something second-hand and based on this inferred I was talking about her, when the Toronto Star reporter's name didn't even come up once,” Ford said.
He said he was having a “private conversation” with two of his staff members and said his comments were “completely unrelated to anyone in the room.”
Pagliaro tweeted Wednesday night that she had not heard the comment directly herself, but that “multiple photographers heard it.”
Rival mayoral candidates John Tory and Olivia Chow condemned Ford’s alleged comment on Twitter shortly after the incident.
“(Doug Ford) should immediately apologize to (Jennifer Pagliaro) for his repugnant comment. It is offensive to her, to women and to this city,” Olivia Chow wrote.
John Tory also called for Ford to apologize.
“Doug Ford’s comment to (Jennifer Pagliaro) tonight is completely unacceptable, particularly for someone seeking to be the mayor for the city,” he wrote.
