Where's Larry when you need him? Prime Minister throws cutlery at Downing Street mice as moggy boycotts rat-catching duties

By EMILY ALLEN



Napcatcher: Larry apparently has no interest in catching rats, and spends most of his time asleep instead



Larry the Downing Street cat may have been brought in to catch rats but it appears the ministerial moggy may have to face a disciplinary.

The tabby, adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home earlier this year, was expected to go chasing after rodents who have been seen scuttling in and around Number 10.

But David Cameron has resorted to throwing cutlery at mice because Larry has not been fulfilling his duties.



The Prime Minister was apparently witnessed throwing a silver fork at a mouse seen running across the floor during a dinner with Cabinet ministers last week, the Daily Telegraph said.

Downing Street aides have been growing increasingly concerned over Larry's apparent disinterest in keeping on top of the now growing rodent problem.



He was picked for the top job for his 'very strong predatory drive' and 'hunting instinct', but it appears these traits have fallen by the wayside now he has swapped London's mean streets for the cosy corridors of power.

Ministerial aides say Larry spends most of his time asleep or with his new female friend instead.

He has apparently caught just one mouse in the last few months.



Taking over: Larry wanders across the table in the Cabinet Room at No 10 but mice are not on his mind



Last week's fork incident was witnessed by Work and Pension's Secretary Iain Duncan Smith and Owen Smith, the Northern Ireland Secretary, who had been invited for dinner to discuss serious concerns over the economy in Europe.

On witnessing the mouse Mr Duncan Smith reportedly said: 'Where's Larry when you need him?' before Mr Cameron's failed attempt to slay the tiny trespasser.

Within hours of arriving at No 10 Larry had courted controversy by taking a swipe at ITV News reporter Lucy Manning when they tried to get him to pose for an item.

And he kept waiting reporters and photographers waiting for 45 when he was unveiled as the new pet because he was asleep.



Corridors of power: Larry was brought in for his great 'hunting instinct' but that seems to have disappeared



He'll have to fork out for a new one: David Cameron, left, threw a fork at a mouse during dinner at Downing Street in front of Iain Duncan Smith and Owen Smith as Larry has not been fulfilling his duties



The cat has also apparently covered the Prime Minister's suits with fur and has dug his claws in when sat on members of staff.

He's got a long way to go until he has the fierce reputation of Harry - Downing Street's first official moggy who arrived when Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister.

The animal - who also served under John Major and Tony Blair - acquired a fearsome reputation after being falsely accused of killing a family of robins in the garden.



Social climber: Despite his dereliction of duties, the four-year-old tabby is very popular among No.10 staff



He was known to energetically catch the rats.

Despite Larry's failure to deal with the pest problem, Downing Street's newest resident has quickly become popular among the staff.

In between his frequent naps, the cat dines out not on taxpayer-funded meals - but dishes paid for by the Prime Minister's own staff.

With George Osborne clamping down on public spending, there is no room for a pet paid for by the public in No 10.



source: dailymail