Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that his dog, Axel, will not be moving to Downing Street, citing concerns that the pet would not get along with Larry, the established cat of Number 10.
In his first major broadcast interview with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, Burnham described Axel, a bichon frisé-poodle cross, as having an "angry little man thing going on." He explained that Axel "wouldn't get on with Larry" and that bringing the dog to London would disturb Larry's environment.
Axel was adopted by Burnham and his wife nearly ten years ago from Dogs Trust Shrewsbury. He has largely remained out of the public eye since then.
Larry the cat has held the official position of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office since 2011. His duties include inspecting security defenses, testing antique furniture for napping quality, and addressing the mouse population around Number 10. Larry has served under six prime ministers: David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and Sir Keir Starmer, marking 15 years in Downing Street in February. Larry's tenure has seen notable events, including his first recorded rodent kill at the age of four, and more recently, evidence of a catch on the Number 10 lawn at the age of 19.
Larry has previously been involved in 'heated exchanges' with Nova, a dog belonging to Rishi Sunak's wife. In response to Burnham's decision, an account attributed to 'Larry the Cat' posted an image of the feline confronting a police dog outside Number 10, with the caption, "Lucky for that dog those bars were there..." During Sir Keir Starmer's premiership, Larry shared Downing Street with two other cats.