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Mayor Rob Ford speaks: ‘I have nothing left to hide’

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford addresses media at City Hall in Toronto, Tuesday, Nov.5, 2013. Ford has offered another emotional apology for his "mistakes" but says he loves his job and has no plans to step aside.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford addressed the media Tuesday afternoon, hours after admitting to smoking crack cocaine.

Ford said he apologized for lying to taxpayers and said he had nothing left to hide. He said he would not be stepping down from his post and said he would continue working for the people of Toronto.

Here is Ford's speech in full:

With today's announcement, I know I embarrassed everyone in the city, and I will be forever sorry. There is only one person to blame for this, and that is myself.

I know that admitting my mistake was the right thing to do and I feel like 1,000 pounds have been lifted off my shoulders.

I can't explain how difficult this was to do. I hope, I hope that nobody, that nobody has to go through what I have gone through.

I know what I did was wrong, and admitting it was the most difficult and embarrassing thing that I have ever had to do.

Folks, I have nothing left to hide. I would do anything, absolutely anything, to change the past. But the past is the past and we must move forward.

I want to be clear. I want to be crystal clear with every single person. These mistakes will never, ever, ever happen again.

I kept this from my family, especially my brother Doug, my staff and my council colleagues because I was embarrassed and ashamed.

To the residents of Toronto, I know that I have let you down and I can't do anything else but apologize. And apologize. And I am so sorry. I know, I know I have to regain your trust and your confidence. I love my job. I love my job, I love this city. I love saving the taxpayers money and I love being your mayor.

There is important work that we must advance and important decisions that must be made. For the sake of the taxpayers, we must get back to work immediately. We must keep Toronto moving forward.

I was elected to do a job and that is exactly what I am going to continue to do. In 2010, I made a commitment to Toronto voters. I have delivered on that commitment and I will continue to deliver on that commitment of saving taxpayers' money.

But they have a choice. We live in a democracy. On October 27 on 2014, I want the people of this city to decide whether they want Rob Ford to be their mayor.

Again, I sincerely, sincerely, sincerely apologize. God bless the people of Toronto.

Thank you very much.