TORONTO – Even as two more members of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s staff quit Thursday, the mayor is adamant that “nothing is going on” in his office.
During a later afternoon press conference outside of his office, the mayor told a crowd of reporters that city work is still being done.
“I assure you the work is being done, phone calls are being returned, e-mails are being responded to,” Ford said. “There’s nothing going on in my office. Obviously, I’m bringing in new staff.”
Just after 1 p.m., the mayor’s policy advisor Brian Johnston was seen leaving city hall through the underground parking lot.
He told reporters he was leaving on his own accord and quipped about the current controversy surrounding the mayor’s office.
When asked if he thought the mayor would survive the current scandal, Johnston said “he’s recovered from a lot of things already,” and “anything’s possible.”
Prior to Johnston’s departure, Mayor Ford was seen touring his offices with security – a scene reminiscent of his actions Monday, just after learning Press Secretary George Christopoulos and Deputy Press Secretary Isaac Ransom had just resigned.
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And Global News has confirmed that Kia Nejatian, the mayor’s executive assistant, also resigned Thursday.
Related: On-going coverage of Mayor Rob Ford.
A short statement from the mayor’s office thanked Johnston and Nejatian for their “service and hard work.”
WATCH: Mayor Rob Ford addresses the recent departure of two more staffers.
Thursday’s resignations brings the total number of departer mayoral staffers to five in the two weeks since allegations of a video showing someone matching the mayor’s appearance smoking what could be crack cocaine.
Mark Towhey was fired as the mayor’s chief of staff last Thursday.
“I’ve given the mayor my advice. He can choose to take it or not take it,” Towhey said while he was being escorted out of city hall last week. “My advice is for him and him alone.”
Towhey also commented on the recent resignations Thursday afternoon via Twitter, saying Nejatian and Johnston are “both exceptional young pros with great integrity.”
The mayor has called the allegations of drug use “ridiculous” and his brother, Councillor Doug Ford, said the mayor told him it was “untrue.”
Global News has not seen the alleged video and cannot verify its authenticity.
WATCH: Brian Johnston speaks with reporters as he leaves city hall.
Ford refused to answer any question about the recent allegations during his Thursday press conference. Repeatedly, he asked “anything else?” and turned to a different reporter.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said Thursday she’s “very worried” about what’s going on at city hall and will act when it is “appropriate.”
Councillor Doug Ford took to the podium after the mayor finished and lashed out at Wynne for suggesting she might get involved.
“Get your own house in order,” Doug Ford said. “You don’t see the mayor leaving, you don’t see the mayor proroguing city hall like the former premier.”
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