‘Poorly’ Foreign Office cat Palmerston is at ‘death’s door and seeing out his final days at home of a senior official’
- Palmerston the Foreign Office cat appears to have been retired from his duties
- The black-and-white moggy had a long and distinguished mouse-slaying career
- Now very poorly, he has gone to live out his final days at the home of an official
He was plucked from obscurity and given the role of Chief Mouse Catcher at the Foreign Office.
But having been missing from front line duties for weeks, it appears that a very poorly Palmerston the cat is now living out his final days in peace.
Rumours of the black-and-white moggy’s demise had swirled around the corridors of Westminster, but a Foreign Office source told the Mail On Sunday’s Harry Cole: ‘He’s not dead, but he is very poorly.’
Mouser in Chief: Having been missing from front line duties for weeks, it appears to have been confirmed that a very poorly Palmerston the cat is living out his final days in peace
Lovingly nicknamed DiploMog, Palmerston has long been the chief sparring partner of Larry the No.10 cat, with the pair’s interactions on the cobbles of Downing Street a regular source of entertainment for the Westminster press pack
Lovingly nicknamed DiploMog, Palmerston has long been the chief sparring partner of Larry the No.10 cat, with the pair’s interactions on the cobbles of Downing Street a regular source of entertainment for the Westminster press pack.
Palmerston began his role in the position of Chief Mouser on 13 April 2016.
The moggy reportedly took to the role with ease and as of July 2018, had totted up 27 kills to his name.
His tenure wasn’t without controversy, however. Last year Palmerston was spotted stalking and killing a duckling and then strolling away with the bird’s lifeless body in his mouth, solidifying his reputation as a ruthless killer.
Palmerston’s tally is in stark contrast to No 10’s Larry, who has only managed to kill roughly five mice in ten years.
Previously, he was from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and is named after the former Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister Lord Palmerston.
But after a long and distinguished mouse-slaying career, Cole was told that Palmerston has gone to see out his days at the home of a senior foreign office official.
MailOnline has contacted the Foreign Office for comment.