Rob Ford stands by controversial "little kids" comment

Rob Ford isn't about to apologize for accusing Toronto Star reporter Daniel Dale of "taking pictures of little kids" outside his Etobicoke home.

"I stand by my words, what I said with Conrad Black," Ford said at a press conference this afternoon. "I stand by every word I said with Mr. Black in my interview."

In an interview with the disgraced media baron that was aired last night, Ford accused Dale of standing on bricks to see into his backyard in May 2012. Toronto police viewed CCTV tape of the incident and found "no evidence" to back up the mayor's claim.

"I have little kids. When a guy is taking pictures with little kids, I don't want to say that word but you start thinking, you know, what is this guy all about," Ford told Black, moments after calling on police to arrest him if they have found he has "done something illegal.".

The video of the interview has since been removed from the ZoomerMedia website though it's currently available on YouTube.

Dale and Toronto Star lawyers are discussing options over the "categorically false" comments.

Earlier today, Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly said Rob Ford should apologize for the "beyond the pale" remarks. "It fits into a pattern that changes the focus from him to someone else ... and I think there should be an apology for that," he told reporters.

Ford clearly doesn't agree.

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.