Doug Ford, John Tory spar over Goldkind snub

A squabble over candidateAriGoldkindthrew a mayoral debate into disarray on Thursday, as both John Tory and Doug Ford threatened, for different reasons, to drop out.

The dominoes started to fall at about 6 p.m. when Goldkind was uninvited from the Inner City Union debate, one of two mayoral debates slated for Friday.

Theformer fringe candidate who, polls suggest, is now in fourth place in the race for city hall, said via Twitter he hadbeen dropped.

It soon emerged that organizers had done so atthe behest of Ford.

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"We were forced to comply to Doug Ford's request to excludeAriGoldkind," organizerAntoniusClarke told CBC News.

"Doug Ford made the statement that he's not going be in any debate whichAriGoldkindis in," Clarke said.

Goldkindand Ford have crossed swords a number of times in recent weeks. The noted defence attorney has, at prior debates, attacked Fords record and that of his incumbent brother, most recently when he brought upMayor Rob Fords previous useof ananti-Semiticslur.

Doug Ford, meanwhile,has questioned whythe long-shot candidate has been allowed to take part in debates.

Goldkindsaid Thursday the incident is another example of Ford bullying to get what he wants.

"If this is how Mr. Ford acts before he may be elected mayor imagine the nightmare this city will go through if he is elected,"Goldkindtold CBC News

Tory pulls out

The war of words heated up when Tory pulled out of the Inner Citydebate in protest.

What we do not condone is one candidate unilaterally bullying organizers to exclude previously confirmed participants-

"I was disappointed to learn this evening that due to the strong-arm tactics of the Ford campaign Ari Goldkind was disinvited from tomorrow's debate, Tory said in a statement, adding he was "very disappointed in Fords behaviour."

"Doug Ford does not get to dictate the rules anddisinviteconfirmed candidates from debates," Tory said.

Ford, in his own statement, then suggestedTory wasafraid to take part in the debate.

"He is making excuses to avoid having to face his leading competitors and answer for his record," Ford said.

Ford's statement made no mention ofGoldkind. Ford added he willnot attend the debate if Tory is absent.

Ford's remarks prompted a response from the Tory camp.

"John Tory is happy to participate in a democratic debate," the campaign said in a statement. "What we do not condone is one candidate unilaterally bullying organizers to exclude previously confirmed participants."

Olivia Chowadded her voice with a call for calm.

"For heaven's sakethink about the priorities. [The debate] is about listening. It's about answering questions on how we can create a better future for our young people," she told CBC News.

Tory,Goldkindback in

By late Thursday,Goldkindhad beenreinvitedto the Inner City debate, and Tory indicated he would also attend. It was not known if Ford would be there.

Clarkesaid he hopes candidates will attend and focus on the issues.

"We just hope all thesecandidate willpay attention to our issues, our needs andput aside their differences," he said.