Larry the cat stays as Cameron leaves

The 'chief mouser' is sticking around for Theresa May

LONDON: David Cameron has left his official 10 Downing Street residence to make way for Theresa May, but one resident is staying put: Larry the cat.

With Dave gone, guess who's in charge for the next hour or so: pic.twitter.com/SeJXJcxzMy

— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) July 13, 2016

Larry has been stalking the corridors of power since 2011, when he was brought into the prime minister's office to handle pest control affairs.

Proof... pic.twitter.com/UZVXn6WcUw

— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) July 13, 2016

And he did not seem perturbed by her trademark leopard-print kitten-heel shoes.

There had been fears that Larry would be following the Camerons out of the door when May takes over as prime minister on Wednesday.

But while government members nervously await their fate, officials insisted the nine-year-old brown and white tabby was staying on and would survive May's forthcoming reshuffle.

"It's a civil servant's cat and does not belong to the Camerons," a Cabinet Office spokeswoman said.

"He will be staying."



Larry, a rescue cat, was brought into Downing Street after a rat was spotted in two television news bulletins scurrying around outside the famous black door of the prime minister's residence.

However, Larry's work rate has been called into question.

Downing Street says the nation sends him daily gifts and treats but he spends much of his time "testing antique furniture for napping quality".

Not sure who Theresa May thinks she is, but she's walking around Number 10 like she owns the place. Oh.

— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) July 13, 2016

There have been resident mice-fighting cats in Downing Street since the 1920s. Some have even been given the title of "chief mouser to the Cabinet Office" and put on the state payroll.

The legendary Humphrey, a stray who took up residence under prime minister Margaret Thatcher and outstayed John Major, was sent into retirement in 1997 by Tony Blair, amid persistent speculation that his wife Cherie forced him out.

Humphrey was on the payroll, receiving £100 ($130, 120 euros) a year from the Cabinet Office budget.

Larry has been seen in several stand-offs with Palmerston, the Foreign Office cat brought in in April.

He is also thought to have difficult relations with Freya, finance minister George Osborne's family cat.

Osborne's official residence is next door at 11 Downing Street and Freya would be on the move if May shifts Osborne from his Treasury post.