Downing Street’s Larry the cat makes latest No 10 bungle as he botches attempt to catch a pigeon
- Feline stalked the pigeon outside the Prime Minister’s official residence today
- He was captured on film by those waiting for update on post-Brexit trade deal
- Boris Johnson is expected to make an announcement today after negotiations
Larry the cat today caught the attention of politics watchers awaiting an update on the post-Brexit trade deal as he pounced on a pigeon outside Downing Street.
The tabby stalked the bird outside the Prime Minister’s official residence as members of the Press – who were waiting to hear from Boris Johnson – watched on with their cameras poised.
Despite Larry catching his unsuspecting victim, the pigeon managed to fly off seemingly unharmed after a brief scuffle.
The drama came as the Government continued to negotiate on a UK-European Union trade deal amid widespread expectation that an agreement is imminent.
Larry the cat today caught the attention of politics watchers awaiting an update on the post-Brexit trade deal as he pounced on a pigeon outside Downing Street. Pictured: The scuffle
![The tabby stalked the bird outside the Prime Minister's official residence as members of the Press ¿ who were waiting to hear from Boris Johnson ¿ watched on with their cameras poised](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/24/10/37222606-9085431-image-a-58_1608806762581.jpg)
The tabby stalked the bird outside the Prime Minister’s official residence as members of the Press – who were waiting to hear from Boris Johnson – watched on with their cameras poised
Officially known as the chief mouser, Larry was rehomed from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2011, and was said to have a ‘strong predatory drive’.
Former Conservative prime minister David Cameron expressed his fondness for the animal, saying he would make a ‘great addition’ to the Number 10 team at the time.
Speaking at his final Prime Minister’s Questions as Tory leader in 2016, Mr Cameron told the Commons: ‘Sadly I can’t take Larry with me, he belongs to the house and the staff love him very much – as do I.’
Larry was less popular with rival feline Palmerston, who lived at the Foreign Office across the street until he was retired.
Before being cared for at Battersea, Larry was a stray and was used to ‘fending for himself on the streets’, a Downing Street spokesman previously said.
![Despite Larry catching his unsuspecting victim, the pigeon managed to fly off seemingly unharmed after a brief scuffle. Pictured: Larry](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/24/10/37222602-9085431-image-a-59_1608806768686.jpg)
Despite Larry catching his unsuspecting victim, the pigeon managed to fly off seemingly unharmed after a brief scuffle. Pictured: Larry
![The drama came as the Government continued to negotiate on a UK-European Union trade deal amid widespread expectation that an agreement is imminent](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/24/10/37222594-9085431-image-a-60_1608806802609.jpg)
The drama came as the Government continued to negotiate on a UK-European Union trade deal amid widespread expectation that an agreement is imminent
Larry was the first cat to hold the rat-catching portfolio since stalwart ratter Humphrey was retired in 1997.
Humphrey was succeeded for a short period by Sybil, the pet of then chancellor Alistair Darling, in 2007 – but the mouser failed to settle and returned to Scotland.
Social media users were today glad to see the feline outside No 10, with one writing: ‘Sort of sums up 2020 for number 10, even Larry the cat can’t get the deal he wants.’
Another added: ‘Let’s hope that Downing Street 10’s Larry the Cat killing a pigeon – a symbol of peace – hours before the Brexit Deal is announced is not a sign of what’s to come.’
A third said: ‘While we wait on Christmas Eve for a possible deal, Larry the Cat takes care of the turkey (well the pigeon).’
![Officially known as the chief mouser, Larry was rehomed from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2011, and was said to have a 'strong predatory drive'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/24/10/37222588-9085431-image-a-61_1608806806231.jpg)
Officially known as the chief mouser, Larry was rehomed from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2011, and was said to have a ‘strong predatory drive’
![Former Conservative prime minister David Cameron expressed his fondness for the animal, saying he would make a 'great addition' to the Number 10 team at the time. Pictured: Larry outside No 10 today](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/24/10/37222608-9085431-image-a-62_1608806809881.jpg)
Former Conservative prime minister David Cameron expressed his fondness for the animal, saying he would make a ‘great addition’ to the Number 10 team at the time. Pictured: Larry outside No 10 today
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/24/10/37222806-9085431-image-a-63_1608807322788.jpg)
![Social media users were today glad to see the feline outside No 10, with one writing: 'Sort of sums up 2020 for number 10, even Larry the cat can't get the deal he wants'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/24/10/37222804-9085431-image-a-64_1608807325734.jpg)
Social media users were today glad to see the feline outside No 10, with one writing: ‘Sort of sums up 2020 for number 10, even Larry the cat can’t get the deal he wants’
It comes as Mr Johnson looks poised to make history by announcing a Brexit trade deal today – despite last-ditch haggling over the fine detail of fishing rights.
The UK and EU are understood to be on the brink of sealing future trade terms to avert a chaotic split when the transition period ends on January 1, with an outline in place and just the finishing touches needed to the wording.
Lord Frost, Michel Barnier and a team of experts spent the night ‘scrubbing’ the joint text, reputed to run to 2,000 pages, to ensure there are no loopholes or errors – with the Prime Minister expected to unveil the news in a statement from No10 within hours.
But the sides were still said to be arguing ‘fish by fish’ over the rules this morning, with Ireland warning of a ‘hitch’, even though UK sources insisted there are ‘no major issues’.