POLITICAL CAT WARS IN BRITAIN.

The fur is flying in the streets of Whitehall in Britain — the centre of the political establishment and home to the prime minister at 10 Downing St.

1 THIS IS WAR!

Larry — the Number 10 cat — appears to be waging a war with Palmerston — the feline four metres away at the Foreign Office. Larry has already had to undergo veterinary treatment for an injury to his paw and spent several days on bed rest. But he has struck back and Palmerston is now sporting a bald patch on his back.

2 TURF BATTLE

Problems began when Larry trespassed on Palmerston’s turf at the Foreign Office. Since then, they have been fighting for the coveted spot on the Number 10 steps. But Palmerston has also trespassed in Number 10, sneaking round the door as it opened and darting into the prime minister’s home. He was unceremoniously evicted by police officers.

3 PICK A SIDE

People have been picking sides in the compelling political battle, tweeting their preferred cat with the hashtag #teamlarry or #teampalmerston.

4 OF MICE AND BIRDS

Palmerston is a keen hunter; he has caught multiple mice at the Foreign Office and appears to have killed a bird. Larry, on the other hand, would usually rather have a cat nap.

5 MORE TROUBLE

Larry has also been in trouble for fighting the next door cat — Freya, at number 11, home to the finance minister. And things may get more heated. The nearby Treasury Office just appointed Gladstone, a black feline, as its chief mouser.