A Toronto Liberal MP who tweeted “let’s just whack him” in reference to Doug Ford says he didn’t mean to suggest anyone should harm Ontario’s premier.
On Saturday evening, Adam Vaughan said his Twitter post was in reference to a cartoon featuring Ford’s face and a whack-a-mole game.
“It was never my intent to suggest anyone, anywhere should inflict real physical harm to Premier Ford,” he said. “To those who took offence I’m sorry.”
In the original tweet, Vaughan was responding to another user’s reaction to Ontario’s government confirming that all-day education for four- and five-year-old children would continue, after stoking speculation it was on the chopping block.
“Excellent news!” a Twitter user named Ceta Ramkhalawansingh said. “Full-day school for 4 and 5 yo’s to stay. Why was this even raised!!!!”
The tweet was met with more than 450 comments — far more responses than shares or likes.
“Completely inappropriate,” one user said. “I am no fan of Ford.”
One commenter said Vaughan, a former Toronto councillor, should resign and be charged over the statement, which he described as a threat.
Vaughan responded to some of the criticism with an image of a whack-a-mole game with Ford’s face Photoshopped in.
He later joked that moles took exception to being compared to Ford.
“APOLOGY: I’ve been contacted by a lawyer representing the Moles of Ontario. They resent being compared to Premier Ford. I’ve tried to reach out, but apparently, they are an underground organization. (No moles were hurt in the making of these cartoons) #sometoriesarewhack.”
The Spadina-Fort York MP did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from Global News.