And look out, Larry, Boris and Carrie are getting a dog at No10!
THEY say if you want a friend in politics, get a dog.
After clearing out 17 Cabinet ministers this week, Boris Johnson is now taking up the advice – first proffered by US President Harry Truman – and getting a four-legged ally of his own to keep him company in No 10.
Sources say the new Prime Minister and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds, both animal lovers, have decided against buying a puppy and are likely to choose a rescue dog. What- ever their choice, it may leave resident cat Larry feeling put out. Mr Johnson revealed the plan at a meeting on Thursday to introduce himself to staff at No 10, where Larry has ruled the corridors as chief mouser since 2011.
A source said: ‘It came up at Boris’s first meeting with staff. He said, “I know there used to be a spat between the Foreign Office cat and Larry,
but I’m here in a spirit of reconciliation. Do you want a dog?” The answer was a unanimous yes, so it looks like it will happen.’ Veteran photographer Steve Back, who has chronicled the comings and goings at No 10 for years, predicted there would be trouble if Mr Johnson went ahead with his plan – as Larry clashed repeatedly with former chancellor Philip Hammond’s dogs Rex and Oscar during their time in Downing Street, while in 2014 George Osborne’s cat Freya was sent to live in Kent following claims she had bullied his new puppy Lola.
To make matters worse, new Chancellor Sajid Javid is expected to bring his family dog Bailey with him when he moves in next door at No 11.
Back said: ‘Dear Larry had a real problem with Hammond’s two dogs, so the idea of bringing one into his home would be a disaster. From a photographer’s point of view, yes please, from a caring point, not a chance.’
A No 10 source insisted there was no question of Larry being driven out by the new arrival. ‘They would have to get on,’ the source said.
Larry, who is fond of lying on the No 10 doorstep, is a favourite subject for photographers waiting outside. A Twitter account in his name has more than 300,000 followers.
David Cameron adopted him from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and expressed his sadness when he resigned in 2016 that he could not take Larry with him.
There is a long history of pets in Downing Street, with Churchill having a poodle, Rufus. When Tony Blair became PM in 1997, he was greeted by Humphrey, a black and white cat who had already lived there for eight years.