Mayor of Toronto Rob Ford ‘tried to buy own crack video’

Police obtained a recording that shows two suspected gang members discussing what is believed to be an offer made by Ford of $5,000 (£2,900) plus a car in exchange for the incriminating footage, the BBC alleges

The heat is on: Mayor of Toronto Rob Ford is alleged to have offered suspected gang members thousands for a video which shows him smoking crack cocaine. (Rex Features)

Rob Ford, the Mayor of Toronto, attempted to buy a video that shows him smoking crack cocaine, it has been reported.

Police obtained a recording that shows two suspected gang members discussing what is believed to be an offer made by Ford of $5,000 (£2,900) plus a car, in exchange for the incriminating footage, the BBC alleges.

A judge released documents detailing the police wiretaps on Wednesday. Ford himself is yet to comment on the fresh allegations.

The new documents reportedly reveal a conversation between two alleged drug dealers, who were caught discussing Ford in Somali.

One is asked to remember what Ford had offered him. He answers: “He said I'll give you 5,000 and a car.”

The other then suggests he should “ask for 150”. Police are said to have concluded that he was encouraging his cohort to raise the price to $150,000.

Ford’s lawyer, Dennis Morris, has commented on the findings from the wiretaps, labelling them snippets of talk between alleged gangsters.

Speaking to the Associated Press, he said: “It's very dangerous to put any weight into any of this. There's nothing to address.”

Ford initially denied any such footage existed, but police announced they had recovered the recording in October, prompting the mayor to admit to taking the drug.

Rumours of the video broke back in May, after law enforcement officers carrying out an investigation into an alleged drugs gang using wiretaps heard the mayor’s name mentioned.

The mayor said he was “in a drunken stupor” when he was filmed smoking crack cocaine, but dismissed claims that he was an addict. He has since apologised and said that he is taking steps to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

So far, the Mayor has refused to relinquish his position, but has been stripped of many of his powers as a direct result of the unfolding scandal.