British Labour Party Leader Ed Miliband accused of looking 'awkward' while giving money to beggar

It's a dilemma we all face – do you give money to a homeless person or not?

For Ed Miliband, the awkwardness of that predicament was all too clear to see as he passed a beggar in Manchester yesterday.

On his way to deliver a speech, the Labour leader first passed the woman in a green headscarf.

Realising photographers were present, he doubled back. But in a toe-curling encounter, he failed even to make eye contact as he leant towards her... and appeared to drop just 2p into a cup. 

Despite the intended act of kindness, Mr Miliband’s ham-fisted attempt sparked criticism on Twitter last night.

One tweeted about the politician, who earns more than £130,000 a year: ‘Real man of the people eh!’

Another wrote: ‘He looks terrified stiff that she might touch him’ and a third said: ‘The Party of the less well off? Ed wants to keep it that way.’

Witnesses said Mr Miliband appeared to change his mind when he realised photographers were present. One said: ‘Mr Miliband half walked past and then seemed to realise he was going to be photographed walking past a beggar and kind of doubled back.’