mayor likens it to Kuwait invasion


TORONTO City councillors voted overwhelmingly to strip Rob Ford of more of his mayoral powers Monday a move a fuming Ford likened to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and a declaration of war.


In the wake of an ever evolving crack cocaine scandal, councillors voted to strip Ford of much of his remaining powers, slash his office budget and cut his staff.


"Well, folksyou guys have just attacked Kuwait."


"Mark my words, friends. This is going to be outright war in the next election."


His brother, Coun. Doug Ford, said it was a personal attack on the mayor by city councillors.


"If they had a choice to do this to Rob Ford, they would've done it the day after they were elected because they don't like Rob Ford."


Ford called it a sad day for the country.


"Their democratic rights have absolutely been trampled all over."Video: Council reduces mayor's powers, budget


Video: Ford brothers threaten legal action over council vote


Video: Rob Ford drawing international media attention


Ford blasted what he called a "coup d'etat."


The vote followed aboisterous and passionate debate, which included the Ford brothers being embroiled in heated shouting matches with members officialsaintsnflauthentic.com/Brandin_Cooks_Jersey_Saints of the public.


The mayor knocked Coun. Pam McConnell on the ground as he appeared to charge a heckler.


Watch: Mayor Rob Ford runs into Coun. Pam McConnell


"He did run through me and over me and I got knocked off my feet," she said.


"This is a seat of democracy. It's not a football field."


The incident prompted yet another apology from Ford, who at one point was seen making drinking and driving gestures directed at a councillor police had warned about impaired driving.


Watch:Mayor Ford imitates drunk driver during council meeting


Council transfers powers to Kelly


Monday's vote hands many of Ford's duties to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly.


Kelly will replace Ford as the head of the executive committee, manage the mayor's office staff that no longer work for Ford and oversee about 60 per cent of the mayor's office budget.


Ford will be left with about eight staffers.


"The mayor apparently wants to wage war and I would rather wage peace," Kelly said after the vote.


"First, to restore the confidence of the public and the government in Toronto, secondly, to repair the damage done to the relationships between members of the council and finally, to focus on the business of the city."


Council had already passed a pair of motions on Friday stripping Ford of his ability to appoint key committee chairs or to exercise emergency powers.