Fur flies in Downing Street cat fight

Published on 16/10/2012 17:41

Downing Street has witnessed plenty of drama and rivalry over the years - but now the most famous address in Britain has been the battleground for a full-scale cat fight.

Larry, the Prime Minister’s “Chief Mouser”, and Freya, who lives next door with Chancellor George Osborne, clashed outside Number 10, just feet away from police officers.

David Cameron’s cat, who appeared to come off worse, was then ordered indoors in an attempt to defuse the tense stand-off.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said today: ‘I am not going to get into commenting on the adventures of our feline friends in Downing Street.’

Asked about relations between the cats, the spokesman added: ‘They co-exist.’

Larry was recruited in January 2011 to deal with the Downing Street mouse problem, but it was six months before he registered his first kill, usually preferring to find a cosy chair to curl up in and sleep.

Freya moved with the Osbornes from their Notting Hill home to Number 11 and has taken over most of Larry’s mousing duties.