The never shy brown and white tabby rescue cat was seen on patrol as the worldwide press gathered in front of No. 10 to await Cameron’s departure and the arrival of May.
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But one famous resident of 10 Downing Street will not have to vacate the premise: Larry, the cat. He certainly isn’t going to be part of David Cameron’s future.
In earlier years, Larry’s role was filled by a cat named Humphrey, who the BBC reports wandered as a stray into the PM’s residence while it was occupied by Margaret Thatcher, as well as Gordon Brown’s black and white mouser named Sybil Fawlty.
A Cabinet Office spokeswoman said: “It’s a civil servant’s cat and does not belong to the Camerons – he will be staying”.
Larry too was supposed to be a great rat-catcher, according to the animal shelter officials who gave him a glowing certificate.
It turns out the Downing Street pet was high on the agenda.
However, the ironical truth was that he was slothful and sleepy–all the time! “Larry had even left hair on the Prime Minister’s suits, the anonymous briefer complained”.
Here are five things to know about Wednesday’s formal handover of prime ministerial power in Britain from David Cameron to Theresa May. When May arrives at Buckingham Palace, she will become the 13th leader to receive Elizabeth’s royal assent in a private ceremony that marks the moment when May succeeds Cameron as leader of Britain’s year-old Conservative government.
As the daily telegraph put it: “One source told a Sunday newspaper that Larry had done little but sleep since his arrival from Battersea Cats and Dogs home 10 days ago, stirring occasionally to scratch passing officials”.
The prime minister said he was sad he can’t take Larry with him, because Larry “belongs to the house and the staff love him very much – as do I”, he said.
He held up the evidence–Larry lying on his lap.
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“I think it’d be quite telling for a prime minister in the 21st century for their final act to be posting a cat picture on Facebook”, says Steve Jones, social media editor for the UK’s Press Association news agency.
