In recent months, Downing St has played court to a turf war between No.10’s chief mouser Larry and Palmerston, the Foreign Office’s top cat. Things are only set to get more complicated now that the Treasury has also welcomed a feline — by the name of Gladstone — and the Cabinet Office are in talks to do the same.
Unsurprisingly this new wave of pets has left some departments feeling rather left out. In fact, those in the newly formed Department for Brexit are now keen for their own pet. However, rather than a mere cat they are after a… British bulldog. The thinking is that the pooch — widely seen as a symbol for plucky Brits — would send a clear signal to the rest of Westminster and the world that they mean business. ‘If we get our way, Larry and Palmerston had best watch out,’ Mr S’s mole says.
Alas, Steerpike suspects Downing St officials may draw a line at departmental dogs.
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