Watch out Larry! Sir Keir Starmer buys Siberian kitten to live with his family at Downing Street despite his children asking for a German Shepherd dog
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Larry had better watch out.
The Prime Minister added a Siberian kitten to the Downing Street family yesterday in addition to the official mouser and his own family cat Jojo.
Sir Keir Starmer had promised his children a German Shepherd when they moved into Number 10.
But after intense negotiation over the summer, they were instead rewarded with the cat which was collected by his daughter yesterday.
The new addition to the Starmer family will take up residence with Jojo who moved with them from their home in north London and Larry, the resident mouser.
Sir Keir Starmer has bought a new Siberian kitten to live with his family at Downing Street
Despite promising his children a German Shepherd, Sir Keir purchased a Siberian kitten which was collected by his daughter yesterday (file photo)
Speaking to Matt Chorley on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sir Keir Starmer said that the only issue was with installing a cat flap because the door to the Prime Ministerâs flat is bomb-proof.
Their confinement may be of some comfort to Larry, Downing Stâs resident mouser, who is territorial and has fought with other cats.
Originating from Russia, Siberian cats have long and fluffy coats to protect from the cold. They are hypoallergenic, so compatible with those with allergies.
They are known for being dog-like, which may have helped lessen the blow of not getting a dog for Sir Keirâs children.
Sir Keir revealed during the election campaign that his children wanted a dog, with their sights set on a German Shepherd if they moved into Downing Street.
But there had been âa long summer of negotiationsâ with a âback and forthâ over different options since his win in July, the PM said.
âWe are now getting a kitten instead of a dog,â he said.
âAnd this is an agreement after long negotiations – I said weâd get in the room and sort it out.â
The new kitten becomes the third cat living in Downing Street – joining Jojo the Starmer family cat and Larry, who has held the role since 2011.
However, Sir Keir said that getting a cat flap was proving âdifficultâ: âThe problem weâve got, which is the same for JoJo the cat, is that the only door out of our new flat is bomb proof,â he said.
âBut our daughters persuaded us that the problem isnât any bigger for two cats than one – and therefore, weâre now getting this kitten.â
Cats Protection said: âYoung kittens can be exhausting for older statesmen like Larry, so heâll also need a safe, quiet area to retreat to when the energy of a younger member of the team gets a bit too much.â
The kitten will join Downing Street’s Chief Mouser Larry, who has previously fought with other cats
The Downing Street pet has become a tradition for new residents.
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak bought Nova, a Fox Red Labrador, while his chancellor Jeremy Hunt moved in a labrador named Poppy.
Boris Johnsonâs adopted Jack Russell Dilyn took up residence during his time in power.
During the war years, Sir Winston Churchill kept two cats, Nelson and Munich Mouser, and a poodle named Rufus at Downing Street.
Elsewhere in the interview, Sir Keir revealed that it was his 62nd birthday and that he hoped to take a holiday later in the year, probably at Christmas.
Asked by reporters how Starmer would be marking the event, his official spokesperson admitted: âRegrettably, I think we all forgot to wish him a happy birthday at the 08.30 this morning, which I feel a bit embarrassed about.â
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