Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Another potential Downing Street scalp?
The BBC has news of yet another Government special advisor who, it is alleged, is not up to the job and is in danger of dismissal.
In this case it is Larry, the cat brought in to tackle Downing Street's mouse problem. He is under pressure after reports that a mouse appeared at a recent prime ministerial dinner. The BBC say that David Cameron was with other ministers, including Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, when the offending creature appeared.
Rather worryingly, Larry has had the political equivalent of the Chairman's vote of confidence in the football manager, when a spokesperson for the Prime Minister said there were no plans to sack him: "Larry brings a lot of pleasure to a lot of people."
He said the cat was "doing well" in his new home and although he was "not very keen on men", he had made an exception in May when he was happy to be stroked by US President Barack Obama.
Four-year-old Larry came to Downing Street from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and was said to have "a high chase-drive and hunting instinct", developed during his time on the streets.
A spokesman said he had also shown "a very strong predatory drive" and enjoyed playing with toy mice.
Larry has struck up a friendship with Maisie, a cat who lives at the nearby St James' Park keeper's cottage. Let us hope Maisie is not distracting him from his other duties.
In this case it is Larry, the cat brought in to tackle Downing Street's mouse problem. He is under pressure after reports that a mouse appeared at a recent prime ministerial dinner. The BBC say that David Cameron was with other ministers, including Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, when the offending creature appeared.
Rather worryingly, Larry has had the political equivalent of the Chairman's vote of confidence in the football manager, when a spokesperson for the Prime Minister said there were no plans to sack him: "Larry brings a lot of pleasure to a lot of people."
He said the cat was "doing well" in his new home and although he was "not very keen on men", he had made an exception in May when he was happy to be stroked by US President Barack Obama.
Four-year-old Larry came to Downing Street from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and was said to have "a high chase-drive and hunting instinct", developed during his time on the streets.
A spokesman said he had also shown "a very strong predatory drive" and enjoyed playing with toy mice.
Larry has struck up a friendship with Maisie, a cat who lives at the nearby St James' Park keeper's cottage. Let us hope Maisie is not distracting him from his other duties.
