In a rare admission of error, Mayor Rob Ford has apologized for encouraging residents who support his transit vision to call the phone number of the mayor’s office to find out how to run in the next election.

Councillor Josh Matlow had argued that Ford’s remarks on his radio show Sunday breached the city’s code of conduct, which prohibits the use of city resources for election-related purposes.

Ford called Matlow on Tuesday to apologize, Matlow said. Ford also released a statement in which he said, “It was my intent to provide my direct personal line.”

Matlow, the former host of the NewsTalk 1010 show, said he considers the matter closed.

“He was very gracious and magnanimous. He unreservedly apologized. And demonstrated that he understood that complying with our code of conduct is absolute,” Matlow said Wednesday.

“It was very encouraging. I really appreciate the maturity that the mayor demonstrated.”

Before the mayor released his statement, Councillor Doug Ford, who co-hosts the show, lashed out at Matlow. “Josh Matlow is ticked off because we took his radio station,” Doug Ford told reporters.