Councillor Rob Ford was arrested and charged for assault and uttering a death threat Wednesday morning, the Globe and Mail reports.
He was taken into police custody at his home, and released on his own recognizance hours later. It’s been reported that his wife made the complaint that led to the arrest, and that the incident was a “domestic dispute.” Ford is scheduled to appear in court on April 28.
It’s the first time in at least 10 years a Toronto city councillor has been arrested and charged by police, but another in a string of controversies that Ford has been involved in. Most recently, it was an off-colour remark about “Orientals” that placed the councillor in the headlines.
Ford, who represents Etobicoke North at City Hall, is a staunch rightist and vocal critic of most of his city colleagues.
Toronto Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher, who frequently sparred with Ford, told Toronto Community News this after news of the arrest broke:
“Well it’s very disturbing news when a member of city council would be arrested and charged with an extremely serious crime – especially one that involves physical violence and uttering death threats. It’s a very disturbing thing. It’s early days for determining the circumstances, but I’m quite shocked and disturbed.”
Meanwhile, Mayor David Miller’s office told the previously linked-to Globe it was a “police matter.”
Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone said to the National Post that it was a “very sad situation” and that it’s not for council to say if he should remain in his current position.
Fellow Etobicoke Councillor Doug Holyday made a similar statement to the newspaper. “To ask for his resignation at this point would be jumping to conclusions. Any prudent individual would be advised to wait,” he said.
