The controversial mayor of Toronto has withdrawn from next month’s mayoral election after being diagnosed with an abdominal tumour.<br /><br />Right-winger Rob Ford became infamous around the world after admitting smoking crack cocaine while in office.<br /><br />He had refused calls to step down.<br /><br />His older brother Doug Ford has now announced he will stand in the mayor’s place on the ballot. And nephew Michael Ford has dropped out of running for a city council seat so his uncle Rob can run in his place.<br /><br />The Mayor has won friends and enemies after pushing the privatisation of public services and weakening gun control laws.<br /><br />He mainly enjoys support in the suburbs although a poll earlier this week showed him running in second place with 28 percent of the vote.<br /><br />Experts say sympathy for his illness could help his bother get votes.
