Toronto Mayor Rob Ford: 'Yes, I have bought drugs'

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has admitting buying illegal drugs in the past two years, at a raucous meeting at which city councillors asked him to take a leave of absence.

Asked by Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, whether he had purchased illegal drugs in the last two years, Mr Ford paused a moment, then said, "Yes I have."

In recent weeks, Mr Ford, 44, has admitted to smoking crack cocaine while in office and to struggling with drink.

In a vote of 41-2, the council in Canada's largest city requested he take leave. Mr Ford has vowed to stay.