PM recruits Larry the cat to catch the Downing Street rat

Published on Tuesday 15 February 2011 13:28

THE Prime Minister's latest recruit has been unveiled today - a rat-catching cat.

The feline weapon has been taken on after a rodent was spotted scuttling past live TV cameras twice last month outside Downing Street.

The four-legged deterrent is a tabby called Larry from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

Downing Street said staff at Battersea had observed that Larry had a "strong predatory drive" and enjoyed playing with toy mice, suggesting that he will be a good rat-catcher.

"Before coming to Battersea, he was a stray, so he is used to fending for himself on the streets," added a spokesman.

"Nothing is ever guaranteed but his behaviour in Battersea convinced staff that he was up for the job."

• The rat can just be seen on the doorstep of Number 10 during this BBC report

It is the first such official appointment since stalwart ratter Humphrey was retired in 1997, shortly after Tony Blair arrived in Downing Street.

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.