Keir Starmer reveals identify of household’s new No10 cat
Sir Keir Starmer revealed today that his family’s new pet cat is called Prince.
The Prime Minister told the BBC‘s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg the Siberian kitten, which has white fur and blue eyes, entered No10 after a ‘summer of negotiations’ with his children.
They were promised a German Shepherd dog when they moved into Number 10, but he backtracked over space fears in the small flat the PM lives in.
Sir Keir told the BBC today: ‘This change has a profound impact on our children.
‘People asked me before the election what am I most worried about and I always said the impact on my children.’
He added: ‘I have to acknowledge this is a big move for them and therefore negotiating a fantastic kitten called Prince was part of the deal that they extracted from me.’
The Prime Minister told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg the Siberian kitten, which has white fur and blue eyes, entered No10 after a ‘summer of negotiations’ with his children (file pic)
They were promised a German Shepherd dog when they moved into Number 10, but he backtracked over space fears in the small flat the PM lives in.
The kitten will join Downing Street’s Chief Mouser Larry, who has previously fought with other cats
The new addition to the Starmer family will take up residence with Jojo who moved with them from their home in north London and Larry, the resident mouser.
The PM revealed earlier this week that the only issue was with installing a cat flap because the door to the Prime Minister’s flat is bomb-proof.
Their confinement may be of some comfort to Larry, Downing St’s resident mouser, who is territorial and has fought with other cats.
Originating from Russia, Siberian cats have long and fluffy coats to protect from the cold. They are hypoallergenic, so compatible with those with allergies.
They are known for being dog-like, which may have helped lessen the blow of not getting a dog for Sir Keir’s children.
The Downing Street pet has become a tradition for new residents.
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak bought Nova, a Fox Red Labrador, while his chancellor Jeremy Hunt moved in a labrador named Poppy.
Boris Johnson’s adopted Jack Russell Dilyn took up residence during his time in power.
During the war years, Sir Winston Churchill kept two cats, Nelson and Munich Mouser, and a poodle named Rufus at Downing Street.
