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Reuters
Reuters
Politics

Toronto mayor resigns after admitting to affair with staffer

FILE PHOTO: Toronto Mayor John Tory sits in a chair after receiving a dose of the AstraZeneca coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at a Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy in Toronto, Ontario, Canada April 10, 2021. Cole Burston/Pool via REUTERS

(This Feb. 10 story has been corrected to change deputy mayor's last name to McKelvie from McKelvey)

(Reuters) - Toronto Mayor John Tory resigned abruptly on Friday, shortly after the Toronto Star newspaper reported that he had an affair with a much younger staff member.

Tory, 68, acknowledged the relationship in a statement announcing his departure, saying it had ended earlier this year and the employee had left city hall.

FILE PHOTO: Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Toronto mayor John Tory, at city hall in Toronto Ontario, Canada. July 5, 2022. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

Tory did not identify the staff member. The Star, citing unnamed sources, said the woman was a 31-year-old mayoral adviser.

"I am deeply sorry, and I apologize unreservedly to the people of Toronto, and to all of those hurt by my actions," Tory said.

"Most of all, I apologize to my wife, Barb and to my family who I've let down more than anyone else," he said.

Tory said the relationship began during the COVID-19 pandemic and "ended by mutual consent earlier this year."

He said he would work with city employees and Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie to ensure an orderly transition to a new administration.

"I deeply regret having to step away from a job that I love in a city that I love even more. I believe, in my heart, it is best to fully commit myself to the work that is required to repair these most important (family) relationships as well," Tory said.

(Reporting by Steve Scherer in Ottawa; Additional reporting by Rami Ayyub and Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

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