TORONTO – Mayor Rob Ford needs to step back and let council get on with the business of the city, councillor Adam Vaughan said Tuesday.

Vaughan said council has to make a number of key appointments this week and Ford – although still the mayor for at least two weeks – shouldn’t be involved.

“The mayor needs to understand that his position is significantly compromised and let council shape the next two years,” he said during an appearance on Global Toronto’s The Morning Show. “The 44 of us who will be on council for the next two years need to show that we’re prepared to lead the city forward even if we’re in a situation where the mayor’s position is quite ambiguous.”

A judge ruled Monday that Ford must vacate his seat within 14 days but the mayor plans to seek a stay of the order to allow him time to appeal the decision.

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Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday said it would be premature for council to discuss Ford’s fate at Tuesday’s regularly scheduled meeting.

“We have a set agenda and this matter is certainly not on it,” he said. “It’s a distraction [but] the only thing on the agenda today is the business of the city and we should get down and do that.”

Vaughan agrees, but said some councillors will not be comfortable with Ford having a vote. “You might find a bit of concern that an outgoing mayor, or a mayor in limbo, would be in a position to shape policy for a council that Rob Ford might not be on.”

The Trinity-Spadina councillor, who has been a vocal opponent of Ford, said the mayor has no one to blame but himself for being ousted.

“He chose to go to court knowing that the only law on this is that if you’re found in conflict you’re off council,” said Vaughan. “Period.”

He dismissed those who believe the amount involved in Ford’s conflict of interest case didn’t merit being removed from office.

“People confuse it with football, confuse it with the [$3,150], but what was happening was that people were coming into Rob Ford’s office and, before he talked about the issues that they had in front of council, he was asking for money from them,” Vaughan said. “He was shaking down lobbyists and he was asking for the money before he cast the vote.”

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Watch the interview on The Morning Show below: