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THE most famous feline in Downing Street, who now has Boris Johnson as his new flatmate, is Larry the Cat.

But what is the Whitehall moggy's role? Let's take a look at this charismatic beauty, who has seen off two Prime Ministers.

Larry the Cat has the title Chief Mouser and has seen off two Prime Ministers
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Larry the Cat has the title Chief Mouser and has seen off two Prime MinistersCredit: Reuters

Who is Larry the Cat and what is his role?

Larry the Cat took up his position as Chief Mouser of Number 10 Downing Street in February 2011 - a year after the Camerons moved in.

The 12 year old tabby is the first cat at No10 to be given the official title of Chief Mouser.

As such, his day-to-day duties include finding a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house.

Larry says this is still "in tactical planning stage", despite being in the job for over eight years.

Larry the Cat snaps back at photographers
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Larry the Cat snaps back at photographersCredit: PA:Press Association

He has been criticised for not doing his job with the Evening Standard writing about "".

Larry took the criticism in his stride tweeting: "Outrageous slur on our good names; we WILL take this laying down..."

The Prime Ministerial moggy is practically part of the furniture at No10, with paps regularly snapping him lounging in the sunshine.

Larry's "slaves" (no cats are owned!) are the Civil Servants in the Cabinet Office.

They keep a voluntary kitty to buy his food and have looked after the cat for almost eight years now.

His official Government page says he spends his day "greeting guests to the house, inspecting security defences and testing antique furniture for napping quality".

David Cameron rehomed Larry the Cat from Battersea Dogs and Cats home to No10 Downing Street
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David Cameron rehomed Larry the Cat from Battersea Dogs and Cats home to No10 Downing StreetCredit: PA:Press Association

How many PMs has Larry lived with?

Larry has stayed in his post longer than the last two Prime Ministers.

His Twitter page states he's been "in position longer than the leader of any UK political party".

He was brought to Downing Street by David Cameron in 2011 from Battersea Dogs and Cats home.

Cameron left his post in 2016 after the Brexit referendum - leaving Larry looking for a new roomie.

Larry the cat with old housemates Philip and Theresa May, as they host Donald and Melania Trump
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Larry the cat with old housemates Philip and Theresa May, as they host Donald and Melania Trump

Theresa May then moved in, and in a 2016 interview with the, she said she was "very happy to see Larry".

She did note there were parts of Number 10 where Larry "rules the roost" and things between the two got a bit awkward when he had to be before May gave her resignation speech.

The Chief Mouser is now showing Boris Johnson the ropes - and making sure he doesn't try and sit in his favourite chair.

What did Larry have to say about the Conservative leadership contest?

Larry is a prolific tweeter and on May 24 announced he was standing to become the next PM.

He tweeted: "I am announcing that I’m standing to become the next Prime Minister.

"If Boris Johnson is running, then people deserve a serious candidate too...

At the same time he put out an ad for a new butler tweeting: "WANTED: New Butler. Ability to sort out Brexit desirable, but generosity with cat treats, combed hair and reluctance to use first name essential... Applications to L T Cat, 10 Downing Street, London."

Unfortunately his name was missed off the ballot papers and Larry failed to be elected - but he still has the most important job of keeping the current PM in order.

Palmerston and Larry are bitter rivals and have been caught scrapping outside No10
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Palmerston and Larry are bitter rivals and have been caught scrapping outside No10Credit: Rex Features

Who are the other Whitehall cats?

Larry is not the only Cabinet cat - there are four others with vital roles.

From bitter rival Palmerston to the only female, Evie, here's more about the highly-ranked pusses.

Palmerston the Foreign Office cat

Palmerston works at the Foreign Office
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Palmerston works at the Foreign OfficeCredit: AFP or licensors

Palmerston works at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Whitehall.

In 2017 it was reported he had killed 27 mice since arriving from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2016 - beating Larry's haul of around 10.

Foreign Office cat Palmerston poses for cameras as he ruthlessly snaffles up a helpless duckling
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Foreign Office cat Palmerston poses for cameras as he ruthlessly snaffles up a helpless ducklingCredit: Alamy Live News

In July 2018, his profile took a dive after he slaughtered a defenceless duckling.

He is also known to scrap with No10 cat Larry - often coming out on top.

Palmerston can be followed on Twitter .

Gladstone the Treasury cat

Gladstone the Treasury cat takes an interest in all things money
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Gladstone the Treasury cat takes an interest in all things money

Gladstone was put in charge of the Treasury in 2016.

The black tom, who likes to wear a bow tie, is a former stray adopted from Battersea Cats and Dogs Home.

He runs #GladdersYoga from his Twitter account every Wednesday.

He caused a frenzy in Whitehall in September 2018 after going missing - but the black moggy was soon back in his rightful place.

Evie the Cabinet Office cat

Evie works in the Cabinet Office and is the face of the Equalities Unit
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Evie works in the Cabinet Office and is the face of the Equalities UnitCredit: Twitter/CabinetOffice

Evie was rehomed from the Celia Hammond Trust with her son Ossie and lives in the Cabinet Office.

She is the only female feline among the Whitehall mogs.

Evie is named after Dame Evelyn Sharp - the first ever female Civil Service Permanent Secretary.

In April 2019, Evie was promoted to the face of the Government's Equalities Unit.

Ossie the Cabinet Office cat

Ossie arrived in Whitehall with mum Evie to keep the rodents at bay
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Ossie arrived in Whitehall with mum Evie to keep the rodents at bayCredit: Twitter/CabinetOffice

Ossie is Evie's son and was rescued, along with his mum, from the Celia Hammond Trust.

Ossie is named after Sir Edward Osmotherly - author of the rules followed by civil servants in giving evidence to select committees.

His job is to keep the four floors of the Cabinet Office in Whitehall rodent free.

A Cabinet Office insider told The Sun the mother and son pair had been specifically chosen to avoid fights with the Whitehall tomcats.

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