Liberal MP Tom Wappel is apparently now ready to help a blind constituent who he initially scolded for not voting Liberal in the last election -- but the constituent, and 81-year-old war veteran, says he's so tired of the whole affair he doesn't care anymore.

I just can't take it, Jim Baxter told CFTO News Wednesday. Baxter, who served in the navy during the Second World War and later in the merchant navy, had been sharply scolded by Wappel when Baxter asked the MP for help in getting veterans' benefits.

Wappel sent Baxter a letter noting that Baxter had previously voted for him, but backed his Canadian Alliance opponent in the Toronto-area riding of Scarborough Southwest in the last federal election.

`According to my records, you were a past supporter of mine, yet it seems that in this past election you supported the Canadian Alliance. How is that you are writing me for help if you did not think enough of my abilities to justify voting for me? Wappel wrote.

He didn't explain how he knew Baxter had voted for the Alliance.

Wappel later told the Toronto Star he felt justified in finding out how people voted before he gave them help.

``Very much so,'' he said. ``I can decide who to help or not to help.''

The incident sparked an uproar in the House of Commons. Conservative MP Elsie Wayne called it an absolute disgrace.

Peter Goldring, Alliance veterans affairs critic, called Wappel's initial response to Baxter shameful.

``Boy, that's really bottom of the barrel.''

Senior Liberals scrambled to distance themselves from Wappel, and Prime Minister Jean Chretien met with Wappel to tell him he had a duty to help all his constituents, not just the ones who voted for him.

``I talked with (Wappel) a few minutes ago,'' Chretien told the Commons on Wednesday.

``He said to me, and assured me, that he was hoping the person would be calling him and he said he would help him.''

Transport Minister David Collenette said he wouldn't stand for his office questioning a constituent's political affiliation before deciding whether to help.

``If they did, I'd fire the staffer.''

Baxter, meanwhile told CTV he isn't looking for an apology from Wappel, and doesn't care what the MP does next.

``I'm glad I didn't vote for him now,'' he said. ``I never would vote for the guy when he responds that way.''

Wapple insisted he had never actually refused to help Baxter.

``I invited Mr. Baxter to contact me and I continue to do so,'' he said. ``I have had communication with him in the past, I believe I've helped him in the past. I help all my constituents.

``I asked Mr. Baxter to contact me and he chose to contact the media instead,'' Wappel said in Moncton, N.B.