Rob Ford’s brother launched a verbal attack on the city’s police chief Tuesday, calling on Bill Blair to step aside over what he claims are two conflicts of interest, including a "bias" against the mayor.
Coun. Doug Ford, who is furious with Blair for confirming the existence of a video that allegedly shows the embattled mayor smoking from a glass pipe, wants the chair of the Toronto Police Services Board to launch an investigation and he wants the police chief to step aside until a probe is completed.
In an interview with CP24 Breakfast, Doug Ford avoided a question about whether it is appropriate for him to call on the police chief to step aside while his brother ignores calls to resign or take a leave of absence.
During the interview, Doug Ford flipped between calls for Blair to "step down" or "step aside" as he claimed the police chief put himself in a conflict of interest when he said the video of the mayor was "disappointing" and a "traumatic issue" for the city.
“In my opinion, this is the most political police chief that I've ever run into,” Doug Ford told CP24 anchor Lindsey Deluce. “He believes he’s the judge, jury and executioner and this has created a bias towards the mayor. He has compromised himself and this could jeopardize the case and (it’s) just very disturbing.
“When he released, verbally, the documentation he made his personal comments while he was in his police chief uniform and there’s a massive conflict of interest,” Doug Ford added.
Later, the councillor called a news conference to reinforce his call for an investigation into Blair's public comments on the video. Doug Ford plans to send a complaint to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director.
“Am I supposed to be intimated by the police chief? The police chief doesn’t intimidate me," Doug Ford told reporters. "I’m the only one with political will who will stand here and hold the police chief to account.”
Doug Ford made the remarks before the mayor stunned Toronto with his admission that he has smoked crack cocaine.
If the councillor was trying to pull Blair into a war of words, it didn't happen. Blair said he will not respond to personal attacks as he showed no sign of regret over his comments.
Another source of friction between Rob Ford and Bill Blair is an upcoming gala for the police chief. There were claims the mayor's invitation to the fundraiser was retracted. Blair said Tuesday he did not uninvite Ford.
Councillors condemn Doug Ford
At city hall, several city councillors condemned Doug Ford’s comments and spoke out in support of the police chief. Some expressed doubts over whether the Ford brothers will be able to work with Blair on the police service’s 2014 budget.
“I’m not certain that (Ford) will be able to take a neutral position, so I think he should step back," said Coun. Pam McConnell.
She said Doug Ford made a "tactical error" by taking on "the wrong people."
Ford ally Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong said he supports the chief and he shouldn’t step aside.
Minnan-Wong said city hall is turning into “Gotham City” with all the “threats” and “comments” being tossed around.
“The chief is doing the right thing,” added Coun. Gloria Lindsay Luby, who questioned Doug Ford’s motive for attacking the chief. “This may be one of those deflection moves to get people to look at something else and not at what’s really happening.”
Doug Ford wants board member to step down, too
Doug Ford said his opinion of Blair is his alone and it does not reflect Rob Ford's opinion, and the two of them fully support Toronto's front-line officers.
The mud-slinging didn’t end with the chief of police.
Doug Ford claimed a fishing trip that Blair and Toronto Police Services Board member Andy Pringle went on together months ago poses a conflict of interest because Pringle has a say on the chief's performance reviews and contract renewal.
He said Pringle should step down immediately because the trip "compromises" his position on the board.
"It’s a conflict of interest for any board member to be going on a private vacation with the (police chief)," Doug Ford said.
The councillor plans to send a letter to board chair Alok Mukherjee to ask him to investigate the trip. Doug Ford said he wants to know who paid for the "fishing vacation" and whether the two discussed any police issues or the mayor.
In response to the claims, Mukherjee told CP24 he has not received a formal complaint from the councillor but he will discuss the matter with his fellow board members. The next board meeting takes place Thursday.
As for filing a formal complaint, Doug Ford has two options: he can write to the board chair directly or he can contact the Ontario Civilian Police Commission, Mukherjee said.
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