He is one of Britain’s best-loved personalities. In the conditions of the political crisis in the country, which was marked by the recent resignation of Prime Minister Liz Truss, he is being talked about again. Larry, the tenant cat of 10 Downing Street in London, was recently seen chasing a fox. The sequence, spotted by France Info, which broadcasts images from Sky News, has not failed to make headlines in the British press. In this video, released on October 10, we see the cat, white and spotted, repeatedly pushing the fox away, in an advanced state of emaciation and unsure of itself. The wild animal recoils at the threatening attitude of the cat.
The video, which has been viewed millions of times, challenged some observers who saw it as an allegory for the UK’s political crisis. But remember, at the time of this animal incident, Liz Truss had not yet resigned. Did Larry want to protect the Prime Minister and the establishment like he protected his house from this annoying fox? The cats’ “support” didn’t seem to be enough. Boris Johnson’s successor laid down his arms on October 20.
Larry, a true star across the channel
In any case, the sequence made it possible to once again emphasize Larry, who is considered a symbol of the United Kingdom. Contrary to what one might imagine, it is by no means Liz Truss’s cat; the feline was “recruited” in 2011 as chief cabinet mouse. His mission? Expel rodents that may interfere with the proper functioning of the British Prime Minister’s official residence.
Therefore, it is not uncommon to see him walking around a famous London address. However, the cat, who is now 15 years old, has never been known for his hunting exploits. He is best known for his “fads”. Larry has indeed been repeatedly accused of having a “skinny killer instinct” and slept instead of doing his duty. Above all, her feud with the other cats made UK headlines. Witness his legendary rivalry with Palmerson, chief mouse of the Foreign Office from 2016 to 2020. In 2016, a reporter caught two felines in a vicious fight. Result: a damaged ear for one, a lost necklace for the other.
In a few years, Larry became an obligatory subject of passers-by and photographers. And beyond its entertainment aspect, the ministerial drum has a diplomatic function. Arriving under David Cameron’s mandate, he helped humanize the various tenants of 10 Downing Street. His sudden altercation with the fox has also taken some of the attention away from the current crisis in the United Kingdom. So many assets that should solidify the admiration of his biggest fans. And those who would like to meet him, it is always possible to meet him… not far from his workplace.
Source: Le Figaro
