Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly took to the radio Monday morning to ask members of the media to leave the city’s embattled mayor alone should he decide to seek help.

“Everyone has urged him to take a certain course of action, take the time to step aside, get your life in order, come back at the top of your game, govern effectively and campaign effectively but will the media let him do this?” Kelly asked Kiss 92.5 host’s Roz and Mocha. “Will you guys give him the space to do this?”

Mayor Rob Ford has been surrounded by controversy since police released hundreds of pages of search warrant documents and Toronto police Chief Bill Blair confirmed the existence of the notorious crack video on Halloween.

Last Tuesday, Ford confessed that he had smoked crack cocaine.

On Thursday, a second video – showing the mayor ranting, gesturing wildly and threatening to kill an unknown person – went public, renewing criticism and calls for his resignation.

Ford has remained adamant that he has no reason to resign, but Kelly said the mayor took the weekend to do some “soul searching” and the deputy mayor is hopeful he’ll heed calls for a leave of absence.

“We’re hoping so, but he’s a big guy. He was an offensive lineman in football, he’s used to the battle in the trenches, that violent collision that goes on every play,” Kelly said. “But I’ve noticed in the last few days that he’s listening more intently than he had initially. So I’m optimistic.”

Kelly spoke briefly on 680 News just after 7:45 a.m. and then again on Kiss 92.5. just after 8 a.m.

In addition to tackling what comes next for the mayor’s office — in both interviews Kelly mentioned the possibility of rehab — he took aim at critics asking Ford to keep away from Remembrance Day Ceremonies at Old City Hall.

“I would hope that the importance of the day would transcend personal opinion,” told 680 News. “You salute the office, not the person.”

It will be the mayor’s first official speech since admitting smoking crack and it comes ahead of a busy week that will include a council motion calling for a leave of absence and Ford’s full co-operation with police, as well a second protest calling for his resignation.

A leave of absence would allow Ford to take care of his wife, his children and his health, Kelly said, as well as to reflect on the friends he has and how to balance his responsibilities so he can come back “at the top of his game.”

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But, “if the mayor does take a break from city hall then the media has to take a break from him,” Kelly said.

“He won’t be able to do it if the media continues to follow him.”

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