Lib Dem councillor Ian Manning was taking part in Ramadan when he tweeted a picture of bacon in ‘solidarity’ with fasting Muslims (Picture: Twitter @IanGManning)

It was supposed to be an act of solidarity with Muslims fasting during Ramadan but a local Lib Dem councillor has been forced to apologise after tweeting a photograph of bacon.

Cambridgeshire county councillor Ian Manning was taking part in Saturday’s Lib Dem Iftar, where members of the party shared their experiences of fasting before meeting up via Zoom to break their fast with an Iftar meal at sunset.

Before his day of fasting, Mr Manning shared a photograph of bacon and boiled eggs, and tagged the Muslim Council of Britain with the caption: ‘Up early to start my fast for #LibDemIftar! Really not sure I’ll get through to the evening but we’ll see!’



It didn’t take long for Twitter to point out the obvious, that Muslims do not eat pork. Mr Manning quickly deleted his post and apologised, saying the early morning rise had clouded his judgement.


Cllr Manning said the important point was the fast – not his choice of food (Picture: Twitter @IanGManning)

He said: ‘Re food photo earlier. Important point is the fast. Allergies mean choices limited.

‘This is a learning experience, and I’d prefer to be honest about it than not. Sorry if it caused offence.

‘Also, it was 4am and I was half asleep.’

The councillor, who works in IT for the Cambridge Assessment examinations board, added: ‘Am reminded again, that no matter what good you try and do, some people will always look for the flaws.’

Am reminded again, that no matter what good you try and do, some people will always look for the flaws. — Cllr Ian Manning ð¶ ð¶ ð¶ (@IanGManning) April 25, 2020

‘I just didn’t think about it. Because there was some bacon in my fridge, I had some bacon,’ he later said in a video.

‘I went on Twitter and posted the eggs and the bacon, tagged the Muslim Council of Great Britain, in one of my finest moments of idiocy.

‘I just didn’t think actually.’

A Lib Dem party spokesperson declined to comment further on the matter and instead highlighted the apology Mr Manning had already made online.

The Lib Dem Iftar was the brainchild of councillor Hina Bokhari, who has organised similar inter-faith events as a way of bringing people together.

Iftar marks the end of a day’s fasting during the holy month of Ramadan when people abstain from eating or drinking between sunrise and sunset.

Presenting the event, Ms Bokhari was introduced via video link by acting Lib Dem leader Ed Davey, who not only took part in the iftar but will be fasting throughout Ramadan.

The tweet in question (Picture: Twitter @IanGManning)

In a blog about the event she wrote: ‘Ed Davey will be the first party leader to have ever fasted in Ramadan, and he’s doing this to show his solidarity with many Muslims who will find this month difficult. Fasting is always a challenge but doing it without the support of your loved ones is even more difficult.

She added: ‘I admit, I find fasting hard but every time I do, I realise how lucky I am that I can turn on a tap and drink water whenever I want, or pick a snack from the fridge. This lockdown has forced us all into a weird abstinence – the longing to sit in a coffee shop, visit friends and family, makes you realise how lucky we were and to appreciate it more when you get it back.’



Ed Davey, said: ‘I want to send my best wishes to Muslims across Britain and the world in this holy month of Ramadan.

‘With mosques remaining closed and with people unable to come together to worship, this holy month will be particularly difficult.’

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