The video allegedly shows Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine from a glass pipe while making mumbled and incoherent remarks. The video has been seen by several journalists, including John Cook of Gawker and two reporters from the Toronto Star newspaper. 

Although some media outlets have tried to buy the video, the offers have reportedly been refused by the individuals who captured the video on a mobile phone. Gawker have therefore set-up a ‘Crackstarter’ page on crowdfunding site Indiegogo to try and raise $200,000 (over €150,000) from its readers in order to procure and publish the video. As of writing, the campaign has raised over 90% of its target with just over a day to go.

Even if the funding campaign is successful, however, the Gawker team have said they’ve been having trouble contacting the people who ‘own’ the video. The organisers of ‘Crackstarter’ have updated their page to specify “if you are considering contributing, you should be aware that our confidence that we can get a deal done has, on account of the foregoing, diminished since we came up with this idea.”

If the target is reached tomorrow and the Gawker journalists are unable to successfully obtain the video, they say they will pass the money on to a Canadian charity dedicated to dealing with issues of drug & substance abuse.

"Lies after lies"

Rob Ford has denied the existence of the video, telling reporters that “I do not use crack cocaine, nor am I an addict of crack cocaine. As for a video, I cannot comment on a video that I have not seen, or does not exist.” Lawyers representing Ford have allegedly threatened Gawker with legal action as a result of their reporting on the matter.

Although perhaps not directly related to the growing controversy over the alleged video, Ford fired his Chief of Staff last week in the midst of increasing media scrutiny. Ford has also been removed as the volunteer coach of a local school football team.

Ford was elected as Toronto Mayor in 2010 following a decade long stint as a city councillor. The alleged ‘crack video’ is not the first time the conservative politician has found himself embroiled in controversy. He was arrested in Florida in 1999 for driving under the influence and being in possession of marijuana – a conviction that was reported by local press during the 2009/10 mayoral campaign. In 2006, he was removed from a Toronto hockey match for disorderly behaviour. He initially denied but later admitted to both incidents.

In March of this year, the Toronto Star published an article reporting that a city councillor has accused Ford of having a drinking problem. March also saw a previous mayoral candidate accuse Ford of inappropriate behaviour and language during a political event. Both incidents have been strongly denied by Ford himself, stating the various allegations are “just lies, after lies and lies.”

(Photo: Shaun Merritt)