TORONTO

Embattled Mayor Rob Ford told Fox News he’s “lovin’” his ongoing crack cocaine scandal.

Ford sat down with the U.S. network last week during a flurry of interviews with American news stations and the CBC’s Peter Mansbridge but the interview was only broadcast on the O’Reilly Factor on Monday.

The interview starts out with O’Reilly Factor correspondent Jesse Watters asking Ford, “You’re in a little bit of trouble up here?”

“We’ll see on Oct. 27 if I’m in trouble or not,” Ford told Watters, referring to next year’s municipal election.

Ford — who laughs throughout the interview — appeared to show no signs of the apologetic mayor he first displayed after admitting to smoking crack.

“Are you having fun right now?” Watters asks Ford.

“I’m lovin’ it,” Ford said.

“You’re liking this?” Watters asks, clearly surprised.

“I’m loving this, my record speaks for itself,” Ford said. “I’ve apologized for the mistakes, I’m only human, I can’t change the past — what it is, it is.”

Watters also asked Ford about his “erratic” behaviour.

“Did I go out and party sometimes? Yes, I’m only human,” Ford said, denying he’s partied harder than most people.

“On Friday night, if I know I have nothing planned the next day, maybe once every two months, which it usually is, yeah, I’ll have a drink, yeah, I’ll have a big party.”

The mayor went on to call the situation at City Hall “the biggest coup that you have ever seen in North America” — council had voted a day earlier to strip him of most of his powers.

“Am I politically correct? No. Am I a little rough around the edges? Absolutely, I call a spade a spade,” he said.

Asked if he’s a supporter of U.S. President Barack Obama, Ford gave a firm “no” and added he’s “not a leftie.”

After the interview aired, Fox News host Bill O’Reilly said Ford appeared to him “like an OK guy.”

“He should be out on a cruise ship or something not holding public office,” O’Reilly said.