Mayor Rob Ford has admitted he has a drinking problem and will take a leave from campaigning to seek “immediate help,” he announced in a statement.

The decision comes after new revelations of alleged crack smoking and bad behaviour, captured in two separate recordings published on news websites late Wednesday.

“It’s not easy to be vulnerable and this is one of the most difficult times in my life,” Ford said in a statement.

“I have a problem with alcohol, and the choices I have made while under the influence. I have struggled with this for some time.”

He said he had taken some time “to think about his own well-being, how to best serve the people of Toronto and what is in the best interests of my family,” and had decided to take a leave of absence.

“I have tried to deal with these issues by myself over the past year. I know that I need professional help and I am now 100 per cent committed to getting myself right.”

The mayor released the statement several hours after reports surfaced of a new video of the mayor allegedly smoking crack cocaine. According to two Globe and Mail reporters who saw the video, it shows him taking a drag from a long pipe and exhaling smoke.

A new audio recording of Ford ranting and swearing in an Etobicoke bar was also posted Wednesday on the Toronto Sun website.

“I can’t vote Liberal because I don’t like what Wynne is doing, not because she’s gay or not I just don’t like corruption,” Ford appears to say.

“NDP, I’m just not left wing. I am like Tim Hudak, but I can’t, I won’t put a sign up …. I might have to vote green, I don’t know what the f--- I’m going to vote now. I have to vote something, but I’m absolutely going to vote. I’m probably going to vote green because the green guy didn’t say a f---ing word.”

According to the Sun, the recording was taped Monday night by a guest at Sullie Gorman’s, a bar in Etobicoke. It also contains Ford being unruly as he’s ordering booze, complaining about his wife Renata and making lewd comments about mayoral contender Karen Stintz.

In Ford’s statement, he said he loves the people of Toronto and hopes that they will continue to stand by him.

“With the support of my family, friends, professionals and the people of Toronto, I will conquer this,” he said.

“Please keep me and my family in your prayers during these difficult days ahead. I just want to say to the people of Toronto that I thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement. I cannot tell you enough how much I appreciate it.”

Ford’s lawyer, Dennis Morris, told the Star that the mayor told him Wednesday that he is taking a leave but not quitting the campaign.

“He’s doing what I think most of the population thought would be appropriate a number of months ago. At that time he didn’t think he should, and now I think he realizes, so that’s a good step.”

Morris said that Ford has not said how long the leave will be or what exact help he will be seeking. He also said the leave may not begin immediately.

“I don’t think he’s going to be flying out at midnight somewhere,” he said. “I think it’s fresh, and there’s various things that maybe people will recommend, and we’ll figure it out.”

“I think the public realizes that he may face certain substance abuse problems and was not admitting to them. Finally admitting to a problem is the first step to rehabilitation.”

Morris said that Ford did not specifically reference the new recordings, but said that events over the last few days had prompted the break.

“If (the recording) is accurate, then that’s reason enough to take a leave,” said Morris. “He just thinks it’s time. Certain things allegedly have happened over the last few days, and I think he realizes that it’s time to address the difficulties.”

“He just needs time to freshen up in the sense that he’s overwhelmed by most everything that’s been going on in the last 14 years and he hasn’t really taken a leave. I think that this is good for his health, it’s good for the public, it’s good for the voters and it’s good for his family.”

Stintz said in an interview earlier Wednesday it was time that Ford gets the help that he needs for himself and his family.

“I think it’s overdue. I hope that for his own health and the sake of his family that he gets the help that he needs.”

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She said she had not heard the alleged recording and could not comment.

“I’m not going to speculate on what brought the mayor to the realization that he needed some help.”

Later Wednesday night, her campaign spokesman Karl Baldauf put out a statement calling for a full apology.

“The comments released tonight by Mayor Rob Ford are deeply offensive to everyone living in Toronto. That a sitting mayor would make such shocking and bigoted remarks is disgusting.

“This is the not the first time that Rob Ford has made misogynistic comments. Unfortunately, there are many that keep giving Rob Ford a pass.

“Karen will address these comments directly in the coming days. Tonight, the people who support Karen Stintz are rallying behind her. In addition to seeking help, we hope for a full apology from Rob Ford, not only to Karen, but to all in this great city who expect more from their mayor.”

Mayoral candidate John Tory also put out a statement Wednesday night calling on Ford to resign.

“Like Torontonians across the city, I am deeply disappointed by these revelations of Mayor Ford’s behaviour. For the good of the city, I call on Mayor Ford to resign,” he said.

“I fully support Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly and I call on all councillors to do the same during this challenging time for our city.”

Adrienne Batra, Ford’s former press secretary, told Newstalk 1010, “it’s not good what is on this audio recording.”

Ford’s wife, Renata, has been humilated “quite a bit,” she said, adding he owes his wife and Karen Stintz “a big apology.”

Batra said she is relieved he has finally acknowledged he has a substance abuse problem. “Will he do it? Let’s hope so.”

Councillors and other mayoral candidates were also reacting to the news as it broke late Wednesday.

“Rob Ford is not just a bad mayor. He is also a disgrace. Toronto can't wait until October 27,” mayoral candidate David Soknacki said in a statement.

“Time is up for both Fords,” Etobicoke Councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby tweeted, referring also to the mayor's brother and campaign manager, Doug Ford.

More to come.