UK

Larry the cat keeps his portfolio at 10 Downing Street

The chief mouser will not be forced to leave when Theresa May replaces David Cameron

Larry, the 10 Downing Street cat, has been stalking the corridors of power since 2011, when he was brought into the prime minister’s office to handle pest control affairs. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Wed Jul 13 2016 - 17:14

David Cameron has declared his love for Larry the Downing Street cat, insisting he is sad to leave him behind.

The outgoing Tory leader used his last Prime Minister’s Questions to quash a rumour he was not a fan of the chief mouser. Holding up a picture of Larry lying in his lap, Mr Cameron said he wanted to address the “the rumour that I somehow don’t love Larry”. He said: “I do and I have photographic evidence to prove it.”

The Cabinet Office confirmed this week that Larry will stay in his famous abode when Theresa May moves in after becoming prime minister.

Larry, who was re-homed from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2011, was said to have a “strong predatory drive” . Welcoming him at the time Mr Cameron said the cat would make a “great addition” to the Number 10 team.

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Larry, a brown and white tabby entrusted with the rat-catching portfolio, was the first to hold the appointment since stalwart ratter Humphrey was retired in 1997.

Humphrey was succeeded for a short period by Sybil, the pet of then chancellor Alistair Darling, in 2007 – but the renowned mouser failed to settle and returned to Scotland. The Foreign Office appointed Palmerston, a moggy, in April to keep pests in Whitehall at bay. – (PA)

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