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CTVNews.ca Staff Published Monday, December 9, 2013 12:05PM EST Last Updated Tuesday, December 10, 2013 7:37PM EST

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford stands by every word he said in a TV interview in which he appeared to infer that a Toronto Star reporter is a pedophile.

Ford was asked about the interview with former media baron Conrad Black during a news conference Tuesday afternoon that focused on the city budget.

I stand by every word I said with Mr. Black in my interview, Ford said, before quickly exiting the news conference.

During the TV interview, which aired Monday night, Black asked Ford about his privacy and media scrutiny. Ford spoke about a May 2012 incident in which he confronted Star reporter Daniel Dale, who was on public land near his Etobicoke home, working on a story about Ford trying to buy public land.

I guess the worst one was Daniel Dale in my backyard taking pictures, Ford said. I have little kids. When a guys taking pictures of little kids, I dont want to say that word but you start thinking, Whats this guy all about?

Dale has denied setting foot on Fords property. He also denied taking any pictures, and a police investigator found no evidence that he had. In an interview with The Canadian Press Tuesday, Dale called Fords comments to Black categorically false.

Its amazing. I dont know what to say about it, Dale said. In the calmest terms possible, it is unpleasant when the mayor of the biggest city in Canada essentially accuses you, or suggests, you are a pedophile.

In a later interview with CP24, Dale called Fords comments defamatory and said hes considering possible legal action, but has not made any decision.

I did talk today to a Star lawyer about my options here, he said.

Read more from the original source:
Ford stands by 'every word' he told Black about Toronto Star reporter