No doubt you've seen him, slinking past in the background of a newscaster's broadcast, sitting on the step of Number 10 or being parodied on social media. Larry the cat is definitely one of the stand-out features of Downing Street.
Larry, who has his own section on the Downing Street website, is described as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office. It's an important job that he's held since 2011, the first to do so. The Number 10 website says that Larry has made a "significant impact" on the household.
He was rescued from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, one of the leading animal rescue centres in the UK, in 2011 with the aim of controlling the mice in and around Number 10. He has captured the hearts of the Great British public and the press teams often camped outside the front door. In turn, the nation sends him gifts and treats daily.
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Larry spends his days greeting guests to the house, inspecting security defences and testing antique furniture for napping quality. His day-to-day responsibilities also include contemplating a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house. Larry says that this is still "in the tactical planning stage".
Who does Larry belong to?
During a 2016 Prime Minister’s Questions, David Cameron explained that Larry is a civil servant and not the personal property of any one individual. As Civil Servants serve whichever party is in place, once Boris Johnson's replacement is confirmed, Larry will be there waiting for them.
During his time in Downing Street, Larry has been fortunate to meet plenty of world leaders. During a visit from then US President Donald Trump, he was spotted engaged in a spot of sunbathing behind Mr Trump's £1.2 million Cadillac. In 2011, David Cameron revealed to the BBC that Larry took a fancy to Barack Obama, saying: “Funnily enough, he liked Barack Obama. Obama gave him a stroke and he was all right with Obama.”
Prior to Boris Johnson's resignation, Alastair Campbell name-dropped the infamous kitty, suggesting that Larry would be a better leader than Mr Johnson. He told Sky News: "Larry the Cat right now would be a better prime Minister than Boris Johnson. Anybody on the planet would be a better Prime Minister than Boris Johnson. Why? Because he's not capable of governing."
So with Boris Johnson heading out the door, his rescue dog Dilyn following behind, Larry will be ready to welcome the next leader of the country, where he will continue his work as Chief Mouser.
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