ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Danny Williams fessed up Wednesday, admitting he illegally used his hand-held cellphone while driving.

In a statement, the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador says he used his cellphone to take an urgent call from his office, but acknowledges his actions were "inappropriate.''

Williams says if the police decide to issue a ticket, he will pay it.

"Despite the fact that it was an urgent call, I acknowledge that it was inappropriate to talk on my cellphone while driving, and I certainly accept the associated consequences,'' he said in the three-sentence news release.

The normally talkative premier was mum for almost two days on whether he broke the law after a driver called into an open-line radio show on VOCM to complain he had witnessed the premier talking on the phone while he was driving on Monday.

That led to a number of callers backing Williams in a debate that got media outlets in the province abuzz.

Drivers breaking the provincial law banning cellphone use while driving risk a fine of up to $400 and the loss of four demerit points.

If drivers fail to pay the fine, they face two to seven days in jail.

Last August, the provincial government encouraged other provinces to follow its lead and ban the use of hand-held cellphones while driving.

According to the province, there have been more than 800 convictions under the law since it took effect on April 1, 2003.

Williams became premier in October 2003.