The judge who removed Mayor Rob Ford from office for a conflict of interest violation has revised his ruling to allow Ford to run in a byelection.

Justice Charles Hackland had originally ruled that Ford could not run for office again until the end of the term. There was a difference of legal opinion as to the meaning of the word “term”. Ford’s supporters argued his term would end when he left office. The City Solicitor had said it meant the next Municipal election in 2014.

Now, if Ford loses his appeal of Hackland’s ruling, and if city council decides to hold a byelection rather than appoint a caretaker mayor, Ford will be free to run to reclaim his position.