When Larry the cat, chief mouser at No 10, was spotted limping shortly after Theresa May took up residence, the new prime minister’s top team took no chances.
A vet was swiftly summoned to examine Larry’s front-right paw as Palmerston, the Foreign Office cat, emerged as chief suspect.
It was with no little relief that a government spokesman was able to announce that the famous feline, adored by all in Downing Street – including, despite rumours to the contrary, David Cameron who declared his love in his final PMQs – “was expected to make a full recovery”.
The matter of Larry’s paw, however, is now causing consternation in the House of Lords over who should pay the vet’s undisclosed bill, according to the Telegraph. At the time, it was reported that Downing Street staff, fearful of the taxpayers’ wrath, had willingly dipped into their own pockets for a whip-round.
One peer has questioned whether May’s government is taking its responsibilities for animals such as Larry seriously enough if civil servants are forced to foot the bill.
Lord Blencathra, formerly the Tory environment minister David Maclean, has submitted a formal question to the government in the House of Lords asking if Larry’s treatment was met by staff donations, and, if so, whether the government would refund those staff who had helped to pay the vet.
Blencathra also demanded to know what systems the government had in place “to ensure that there is proper routine and emergency veterinary treatment for government cats, and any other officially owned animals in government service,” the Telegraph reported.
Caroline Chisholm, the government’s spokeswoman in the Lords, said staff were so in love with Larry they would never ask for a refund. “The costs were met by staff through voluntary staff donations due to their affection for Larry,” she said. “There was no compulsion to donate and no refunds have been requested. The remaining funds will contribute towards the future upkeep of the chief mouser.”
Relations between Larry and Palmerston, both rescue cats, have been less than cordial since the latter moved into the Foreign Office in April. Evidence of their difficult relationship has been captured on more than one occasion by bored photographers doorstepping Downing Street.
Larry, who has held his post since February 2011, injured Palmerston’s ear during one encounter. He now has a collar and bell, thought to have been fitted to warn Palmerston of his whereabouts and so prevent further confrontations.
Both have their own Twitter accounts. Palmerston’s is @DiploMog:
Come to @openhouselondon today @foreignoffice & help me #findthemice with @BDCH. pic.twitter.com/rE3kNxmbxL
— Palmerston (@DiploMog) September 18, 2016
Larry’s account is the less imaginatively titled @Number10cat:
Check out my new bling:https://t.co/GhRM69f9FY
— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) September 14, 2016
