LITTLE LONDON, Westmoreland — Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Western Morland Wilson has rejected claims made by People’s National Party’s aspirant for the seat Ian Hayles, in a video making the rounds on social media, that he has used taxpayers’ money to donate nine water tanks to one businessplace.

The accusation has also reportedly resulted in threats being made against the proprietor of a car wash and potable water distribution service, who provided receipts to show he paid for his tanks and has nothing to do with claims made in the video.

Wilson told the Jamaica Observer on Monday afternoon that he is currently distributing more than 47 black tanks — which were provided by Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) — to farmers who support the tourism industry. He stressed that tanks referenced in the video have nothing to do with those efforts.

“This individual in particular who has called, I think, several persons’ names, is treading quite close to the line of being sued. In fact, lawyers were contacted and we have also encouraged persons to go to the police and make reports because, wherever possible, legal action will be taken against them because it needs to stop,” said Wilson.

Distribution of the TEF tanks started a few days ago.

Meanwhile, business operator Tomlin Dixon said he bought his tanks on March 18 in Little London. He told the Observer the nine tanks which were purchased for $504,000 are used to store water for his water distribution business.

“The tanks were purchased by the person who is operating their business. They have their receipt. They have evidence of where they withdrew cash from, their bank account — which they are willing to share with the nation — and they are quite unhappy with what has evolved with this gentleman going around and making all sorts of wild accusations,” argued Wilson.

In the video, Hayles is heard narrating as images are shown of tanks on premises located across the road from Wilson’s office in Mango Hall District, Little London.

Dixon told the Observer that since the video, which was recorded over the weekend, became public he has received threats that his tanks will be slashed.

“I am taking it seriously because I did not sleep last night,” he said on Monday. “I have to be peeping through that window, watching my things them. I work hard night and day to save my money to buy my tanks. I have sleepless nights, and even my kids don’t see me because I sell water right through the night. People don’t have to be at their yard for me to sell water. I drop off the water and in the day they come and drop off the money at the car wash — that is how much people trust me. So that is the only reason why I bought my tanks — for storage.”

“So when people want to go ahead and say it is politician who gave me tanks and this and that, it has nothing to do with my business,” added Dixon.

He said Hayles should have done his research before going public.

“Mr Ian Hayles, you need to come and hear my side of the story before you put out a thing like that, boss. You need to come and talk to me, my general, because it is very serious. You let me have sleepless nights watching my tanks which I had to pay so much money for. What if somebody had come and stabbed up my tanks? How is that going to go when you are sleeping in your bed?” questioned Dixon.

Iin a follow-up video Hayles claimed that he too is being threatened. And he doubled down on his initial claim about distribution of tanks purchased with State funds.

“I just want to make it clear for those persons who are calling my phone and threatening me, it won’t work. It won’t work. But, unuh still nuh get it. Let me say something to unuh: If tank comes fi farmers of Western Westmoreland [then] the farmers dem fi get di tanks — and not a car wash or one person gets five or seven. If tanks come for the citizens of Western Westmoreland, the citizens must get it and not a car wash. So unuh threatening me, it won’t work,” said Hayles.