Toronto Mayor Rob Ford apologizes to media for calling them "a bunch of maggots" Meanwhile, Gawker is attempting to obtain video of the mayor smoking crack cocaine

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has been on the defense ever since the news site Gawker alleged that video footage of Ford smoking out of a crack pipe exists. Addressing the allegations for the first time, on Friday, he said, "I do not use crack cocaine, nor am I an addict of crack cocaine.” On Sunday, Ford insulted the media during his weekly Newstalk 1010 radio show, calling the media "a bunch of maggots."

On Monday, however, Ford issued an apology at City Hall, where he also addressed the resignation of his press secretary and deputy press secretary.

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From the Toronto Sun:

“I want to start off by apologizing to everyone of you with the derogatory comment I made on my radio show with respect to the media,” Ford said. “I’m sure you understand this has been very stressful for myself and my family but that doesn’t justify using the terminology that I did. “I sincerely apologize to each and everyone of you. I understand you have a job to do ... it has been bothering me a lot.”

Meanwhile, Gawker has raised $200,000 to buy the tape of Ford, but has lost contact with the owners of the video and has said that "our confidence that we can consummate this transaction has diminished."