BREAKING: Woke Toronto mayor John Tory RESIGNS after admitting to affair with staffer

"During the pandemic I developed a relationship with an employee in my office in a way that did not meet the standards to which I hold myself as mayor, and as a family man. The relationship ended by mutual consent earlier this year," Tory said during his resignation speech.

"During the course of our relationship some time ago, the employee decided to pursue employment outside City Hall and secured a job elsewhere."

"I recognize that permitting this relationship to develop was a serious error in judgment on my part. It came at a time when Barb, my wife of 40-plus years and I were enduring many lengthy periods apart while I carried out my responsibilities during the pandemic."

"As a result, I've decided that I will step down as mayor so that I could take the time to reflect on my mistakes, and to do the work of rebuilding the trust of my family."

The mayor went on to describe the transition, and expressed regret over having to step away.

He notes that he is "deeply sorry," and goes on to say "I want to thank the people of Toronto for trusting me as mayor. It has been the job of a lifetime, and while I have let them down and my family down in this instance, I have nonetheless been deeply honoured by the opportunity to serve the people of this wonderful city and I believe that I did some good for the city."

John Tory was first elected Mayor of Toronto in 2014 when he took over from Rob Ford, the now-deceased brother of current Premier Doug Ford. Tory's handling of the COVID pandemic was criticized in part for his awkward TikTok videos, and has also come under fire for the spike in crime, including on the city's subway system.