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There is a history of resident cats in the British 'corridors of power', including the prime minister's residence, the War Office and the Treasury, dating as far back as the time of Henry VIII, when Cardinal Wolsey was his Chancellor of the Exchequer. In more recent times, Frilly was resident cat at the British War Office in around 1909 and was on the official payroll. When he died the employees had a collection to pay for him to be stuffed and preserved for posterity, and in this guise he appeared at the Imperial War Museum's Animals' War exhibition in 2007.
One former Treasury cat, a fine 'marmalade' tom rejoicing in the name of Rufus of England, later became better known as Treasury Bill; he served under Prime Minister Ramsay Macdonald from about 1924 and was a formidable mouser and ratter. He was said to bring his trophies to his boss, but when he found that they were being picked up and put by the rubbish bins in the hallway, he soon realised the proper procedure, and after that the cleaners would find the mice neatly laid out by the bins for them to deal with! There's a story that when he began to decline in his latter years, becoming thin and rather languid, the Secretary to the Treasury submitted a claim to the Lords of the Treasury that Bill's food allowance was insufficient owing to a sharp rise in the cost of living, and should be increased by at least fifty per cent. Their lordships replied that after giving 'careful consideration to the matter' they were 'unable to approve a rise'. Bill himself is said to have taken matters into his own paws, and finding the door to the Chancellor's office ajar one day he walked in and exercised some of those blandishments that cats know so well how to use to get their way. Chancellor Philip Snowden a man noted for his tight-fisted guardianship of public funds looked at Rufus, and softened. He turned to his desk and made a note: 'Treasury vote: approve increase in cat's pay.' The budget bill for a 50% increase in the cat's pay was submitted to Parliament, debated, voted on and passed: and that is how Rufus came to be known thereafter as Treasury Bill.
At some point there was also Emily of the Home Office, apparently picked up in the street by a charwoman, but who became so wise and engaging that she always sat in at conferences with the Home Secretary. Wilberforce
Humphrey
He was about a year old and, following a ballot among staff, was named after Sir Humphrey Appleby in the very popular BBC television comedy show Yes, Minister, and given the official title of Mouser to the Cabinet Office; his food was paid for by the departmental budget. The cost of £100 a year was said to appeal to Mrs Thatcher because it was much cheaper than hiring a pest-control contractor (the previous one charged £4,000 a year and was said never to have caught a mouse!). Humphrey's eight years in the corridors of power saw him mingling with the great and the good (and others), which he did with aplomb and the natural dignity of his kind; he was described as a laid-back and relaxed cat, which was probably just as well. He paid scant attention to politicians, heads of state or even royalty, and seemed quite unfazed by photocalls. There's a book containing various photographs of Humphrey going about his duties (A Day in the Life of Humphrey, as told by David Brawn, published by HarperCollins in 1995). He wandered freely between No. 10 and No. 11, the residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the adjacent Cabinet Office.
There was even a rumour that poor Humphrey had been put to sleep (possibly for leaving puddles on Tony's carpets to express his disapproval?), but in fact it seems he was 'retiring from politics for health reasons'. He'd had a kidney complaint for some time, and his medical advisers felt it would be better for him to retire from his hectic environment and take life more easily in the suburbs. A Conservative member of Parliament asked for proof that the cat was still alive (left), though, and so political journalists took up the case.
So a political crisis was averted, and the former No. 10 feline continued to enjoy his well-earned retirement. His new owners were not identified, neither was the location; but they said he was happy, had put on weight, and that they had had no trouble with puddles. After some years of living in retirement, perhaps dreaming of the days when he was on familiar terms with the rich and powerful, it was reported on 20 March 2006 that Humphrey had died in his sleep the previous week. He had reached the grand old age of 18.
At the beginning of 2005 many government files were released to the public for the first time under the Freedom of Information Act, and these included some of the papers relating to Humphrey, made available by the Cabinet Office as one very large PDF document (may take some time to load in view of its size). It makes fascinating reading, but I wonder what happened to the ones before 1996? For example, I enjoyed a 1992 memo that I read of elsewhere stating about Humphrey that: 'He tends to eat little and often, no doubt because he knows he can get food whenever he wants. He is a workaholic who spends nearly all his time at the office, does not socialise a great deal or go to many parties, and has not been involved in any sex or drugs scandals that we know of.' Perhaps one day we'll be able to read about 'Humphrey: the Early Years'! Sybil
The then prime minister, Gordon Brown who lived above No. 11 Downing Street but worked at No. 10 and his wife Sarah confirmed via a spokesman that they were happy to have Sybil around and she would be free to wander at will over the whole premises. 'It's in the nature of things that cats are difficult to confine,' said the official. A Treasury spokesman said that Sybil was 'a confirmed mouser', so clearly she would be taking over the official mousing duties. Sybil was apparently named after Basil Fawlty's wife in the celebrated BBC television series, Fawlty Towers, but (unlike the probable reaction of her namesake) Sybil the cat seemed slightly unnerved by the press call. Downing Street put up a short video at YouTube.
So Downing Street was catless again and seemed likely to remain so, even after a change of government in 2010. 2011: time for another cat?In January 2011 many were speculating whether another official mouser should be engaged by No. 10, after a rat was seen scurrying across the step in the background of evening TV news reports from Downing Street. This occurred on at least two occasions during live reports by BBC and ITN correspondents, and several videos are available at YouTube and elsewhere: here's one, and of course the story was also covered in the press and extensively online. Staff at No. 10 were said to be pressing for a new feline recruit, and a spokesman for David Cameron confirmed there was a 'pro-cat faction within the building'. Battersea Dogs and Cats Home helpfully pointed out that they had many rescued cats on their books, waiting to be rehomed, who would be admirable for the job. They invited the Prime Minister to choose a suitable candidate, and suggested that a three-year-old tuxedo cat by the name of Crocket could be ideal. But prospects appeared slim for another Humphrey or Sybil, or indeed Crocket, as it was also reported that the PM would 'not be bringing back the Downing Street cat despite the fresh sightings of rats', as he was 'not particularly concerned about the rat situation'. A short news video by Newsround for the CBBC children's TV channel also covered the story and included brief footage of Humphrey in his heyday. A change of heart enter Larry
A Guardian political correspondent, after checking with No. 10, noted in his blog that Larry was 'for Downing Street'; in other words, his status is that of an office cat rather than a family pet or an official civil service cat as his predecessors have been. As such the cost of his food and upkeep do not come out of the public purse, but from staff at the building who also share in his care and welfare. He is able to access almost all parts of Nos. 10 and 11, to sleep where he wishes, and has the run of the enclosed gardens. Early indications were that Larry showed every sign of being able to adjust to his new surroundings and situation; indeed, a No. 10 spokesman said Larry was 'chilled'. Shortly after his arrival a story was circulated that his former owner had stepped forward after seeing his story in the media. 'Margaret Sutcliffe' claimed Larry was in fact 'Jo' who had disappeared a few months previously, and that she 'nearly died' when she saw his photos. The tale went that her nephew 'Tim' had begun a Facebook page to campaign for Larry's return and several hundred people had already joined, some saying they had written to Downing Street in support. The Daily Mail and others ran with the story, and it was quickly reproduced at many online sites. However, it turned out the whole thing had been a deliberate spoof to draw attention to 'churnalism'. It wasn't until one day in late April 2011 that Larry was observed climbing in through a Downing Street window with a mouse clamped in his jaws. He is said to have dumped it unceremoniously at the feet of the secretaries, and after their initial shock they gave him a cheer, as it was the first mouse he was known to have caught. In June Mr Cameron said the total count had risen to three, so evidently Larry had been quietly getting on with his job! (But see below ...).
He did, though, celebrate the wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton on 28 April, when he was seen sporting around his neck a natty bow in the British colours. On 25 May there was more excitement for Larry when he met Barack Obama during the American President and First Lady's state visit to Britain; and on behalf of the US Government he was also presented with a replica rat which seemed to meet with his approval! David Cameron revealed that Larry was 'a bit nervous' around most men, but had 'liked Obama'. We wish Larry well, and a long and happy life as the latest in a distinguished line of feline residents in the corridors of power. However, it was reported in late November 2011 that Larry was not fulfilling his duty well in terms of catching mice, although the rat problem had diminished. He was said to spend too much time either sleeping or visiting his 'girl friend', a cat called Maisie, in St James's Park! More photos continue to be published, either in the press or released from Downing Street, and here are just a few.
See also the following 'Larry links' for more: In April 2011 British folk singer and guitarist Alan ('Big Al') Whittle composed a little ditty called Larry the Cat hear Al sing it at his site. A second cat in Downing Street
We haven't heard whether or not there has been a dramatic reduction in the rodent population in Downing Street since Freya's takeover. For a full report on the reshuffle, see the Daily Mail. Further linksWikipedia: Chief Mouser to the Cabinet OfficeBBC Nov 1997: Humphrey bids a feline farewell BBC Nov 1997: Purr-fect ending fur Humphrey BBC Mar 2006: Downing Street cat Humphrey dies - short video also available CBS News video Mar 2006: Three Prime Ministers & A Cat BBC Sep 2007: No 10 gets new feline first lady BBC Jul 2009: Ex-Downing Street cat Sybil dies Independent Jul 2009: Farewell to the original New Labour cat Note |
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Our featured feline at the head of the page is Simon of HMS Amethyst.
He remains the only cat ever to have been awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry under enemy fire,
in what became known as the 'Yangtse Incident' (1949).
Read Simon's story.
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