Doug Ford has accused Chief Bill Blair of behaving like he is judge, jury and executioner. He is, said Mr. Ford, the most biased police chief in the history of the city. He said he will write a letter to the police review board and also complain to the police board. He criticized police board member Andy Pringle who he said had been on a fishing trip with the chief. He called this a “massive conflict of interest.” Mr. Ford said we cannot have a board member being the police chief’s fishing buddy. He called for Mr Pringle’s resignation. The angry Mr Ford said he is not intimidated by the police chief. “The police chief doesn’t intimidate me,” said the mayor’s brother. “We don’t live in a police state,” he said. Reporters tried to bring the discussion back to the mayor’s conduct but failed in the face of Mr.Ford’s forceful strategy to stay on the subject of the police chief. The chief has held a scrum news conference in which he said he is in the hands of the attorney general. Blair said he is subject to civilian review and insisted he will not respond to any personal attacks. I am just going to do my job,” said Mr. Blair. The timing of the chief’s scrum coincided exactly with Mr. Ford’s news conference at city hall. It caused CP24 to cut away from Mr. Ford to cover the chief. Councillors John Filion (Ward 23) Paula Fletcher (Ward 30) and Pam McConnell (Ward 28) offered immediate responses to Mr. Ford’s attack. They were all strongly critical of Mr. Ford. Denzil Minnan-Wong (Ward 34) this morning said he supports Chief Blair and board member Pringle in the face of Doug Ford’s attacks. 11.03 a.m.
