*IN DEPTH* Ford Wins Appeal to Remain in Office
Posted By:
Newstalk 1010
·
1/25/2013 4:38:00 PM
Rob Ford has won his court battle to keep his job as mayor of Toronto.
A Divisional Court panel today struck down a previous ruling that Ford should be dismissed from office for violating conflict of interest rules.
The three-judge panel agreed with Ford's lawyers, who had argued the previous ruling was legally flawed and their key finding was that council did not have the authority to order Ford to repay donations.
In November, an Ontario Superior justice ordered Ford removed as mayor for taking part in a council vote that he repay $3,150 raised for his private football foundation.
The ruling was put on hold pending today's decision.
``This has been a very, very humbling experience,'' Ford said hours after the decision was released. ``I have enormous respect for the judicial system and I'm very, very thankful for the decision it made today.''
Clayton Ruby, the lawyer who challenged Ford lamented the decision as ``disappointing,'' saying Ford got off on a technicality.
Ford vowed Friday to work hard during the remainder of his term and suggested he would run for re-election, saying he would ``spend the next six years on getting the job done.''
But Friday's decision may not mark the end of his legal woes.
``We believe that there are serious errors of law in the judgment and we will ask the Supreme Court of Canada for leave to appeal to that court,'' Ruby said in a statement.
``It must be acknowledged that such appeals are not easy but this remains an important issue for all citizens.''
An audit of Ford's campaign expenses is also pending.
To read the full decision, click HERE
(With files from the Canadian Press)