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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Lucy Domachowski

Naga Munchetty left red-faced as Larry the Cat snubs her at Downing Street

BBC Breakfast favourite Naga Munchetty was left red-faced on Friday after she was snubbed by the famous Larry the Cat outside Downing Street.

The presenter was live on air this morning reporting on the latest in a series of car-crash moments for the Conservative government after PM Liz Truss resigned yesterday after just 44 days in office.

As the country was sent into another political and economic spin, Naga turned her attention to a more permanent resident of Number 10 - Larry.

The 15-year-old Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office has been the only consistent figure on Downing Street in recent years, having seen a whopping four Prime Ministers come and go during his years at the famous address.

BBC Breakfast favourite Naga Munchetty was left red-faced after she was snubbed by the famous Larry the Cat outside Downing Street (BBC)

The furry tenant has earned himself a legion of adoring fans across the world and is often praised for his funny, fickle nature.

And the feline showed off his aloof personality in style on Friday as he decided he absolutely did not want to cooperate on live telly.

Reporting from Downing Street, Naga was in dismay as she told her co-star Charlie Stayt in the studio: “We saw Larry the cat here and one of the things we've noticed is that he's quite aloof. He doesn't really care for strangers.

“I think he's been so used to people coming in and out [of Downing Street] so I have extra admiration for you, Charlie because you actually managed to get a little stroke with him. He's completely ignored all of us here.”

Charlie recalled: “Yes, when I was down there – that was the time of Boris Johnson's resignation, of course – there was some dismay amongst the rival teams there from various networks because he came walking over and, of course, came straight to the BBC Breakfast team.

The 15-year-old Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office has been the only consistent figure on Downing Street in recent years (PA)
Larry has seen a whopping four Prime Ministers come and go during his years at the famous address (PA)

“He walked away from everybody else and came straight over. We took it as a sign.”

Sports presenter Mike Bushell put in his two pence and suggested that Larry was put off by Naga’s bright coat.

He proposed: “I like Naga's outfit but the pink is quite loud isn't it? It's quite bright, and bold. Maybe it's too much for Larry?”

On Thursday, after just 44 days in office, Liz Truss addressed the nation, confirming that she was stepping down and that her successor would be in place in just a week's time.

In these worrying times, many have chosen to distract themselves from the headaches of politics, instead turning their attention to the lovable cat.

Recently, he chased off a fox who was on his turf, but his fans have expressed concern as to what happens to Larry when PMs come and go.

Naga turned her attention to a more permanent resident of Number 10 - Larry (BBC)

But there is nothing for his feline fans to worry about. During a 2016 Prime Minister’s Questions, David Cameron explained that Larry is a civil servant and not the personal property of any one individual.

He holds the title of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office and has been in residence since February 15, 2011.

He actually has official duties as well, with the Downing Street website stating he “spends his days greeting guests to the house, inspecting security defences and testing antique furniture for napping quality.

“His day-to-day responsibilities also include contemplating a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house. Larry says this is still ‘in the tactical planning stage’.”

He was rescued from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and has been a beloved tenant of Number 10 ever since (PA)

He has also met his fair share of world leaders, as during a visit from Donald Trump he decided to lounge out behind the former President’s £1.2 million armoured Cadillac.

In 2011, David Cameron revealed to the BBC that Larry actually liked Barack Obama, saying: “Funnily enough, he liked Barack Obama.

“Obama gave him a stroke and he was all right with Obama.”

He was rescued from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and has been a beloved tenant of Number 10 ever since.

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