Jump directly to the content
'MOST BRUTAL FIGHT YET'

Fears Downing Street turf war will lead to death of Larry or Palmerston unless something is done to stop the cats fighting

Both mousers were embroiled in a vicious scrap with Larry getting his collar torn off

Cat fight downing street

DOWNING Street scrappers Larry and Palmerston have had their “most brutal fight yet” with fears one of them will get killed before something is done to stop them.

Larry, like his new owner Theresa May, wants to be the boss but came off worse in the vicious fight with the Foreign Office’s feline.

 Palmerston the Foreign Office cat (black/ white) resumed his scrap with Larry the No10 cat this morning
7
Palmerston the Foreign Office cat (black/ white) resumed his scrap with Larry the No10 cat this morningCredit: Steve Back
 Palmerston and Larry locked claws for their fiercest battle yet in Downing Street
7
 Palmerston and Larry locked claws for their fiercest battle yet in Downing StreetCredit: Steve Back
 Photographer Steve Back says something needs to be done before one of the cats is killed
7
Photographer Steve Back says something needs to be done before one of the cats is killedCredit: Steve Back

The claws were well and truly out as the pair locked in a vicious fight with Larry getting his collar torn off.

Photographer Steve Back, who has been documenting the battles, says he wants Downing Street to “take responsibility” for the fights.

He said: “This Downing St cat fight has to stop - the worst fight I've ever seen.

“Downing St need to take responsibility for this cat war.

 Larry and Palmerston size each other up before their fight this morning
7
Larry and Palmerston size each other up before their fight this morningCredit: Steve Back
 Larry's collar was ripped off during the vicious fight with the Foreign Office mouser Palmerston
7
Larry's collar was ripped off during the vicious fight with the Foreign Office mouser PalmerstonCredit: Steve Back

“Palmerston and Larry are both fantastic cats, [but they] are going to kill each other.

“Cameron brought in Larry as a PR stunt now the Foreign Office has done the same with Palmerston.

“If the treasury cat Gladstone gets involved a death will happen.

“[It was] so violent this morning, fur all over the place and I had to break them up but still a bloody battle went on, not good.”

And Mr Back, who runs the Political Pictures Twitter account, said the Prime Minister needs to get a grip on the situation.

He added: “It's getting to a point the RSPCA should be made aware what a PR stunt is doing to these cats, someone should take responsibility.

“Our new PM needs to take grip of the cat fighting outside her bedroom window, but sadly no-one one seems to give a damn about the fighting.”

The pair are both rescue cats from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

 Photographer Steve Back says Theresa May needs to be aware of what is happening in Downing Street
7
Photographer Steve Back says Theresa May needs to be aware of what is happening in Downing StreetCredit: PA
 Palmerston was brought in to catch mice in Boris Johnson's department, the Foreign Office, but he seems to spend most of his time fighting
7
Palmerston was brought in to catch mice in Boris Johnson's department, the Foreign Office, but he seems to spend most of his time fightingCredit: PA

Cats Protection says it is not uncommon for fights to happen when a new cat is introduced into an area.

To stop this the cat welfare charity advises making sure there are plenty of ways for Larry and Palmerston to get away from each other.

Maggie Roberts, Director of Veterinary Services at Cats Protection, said: “It is important to remember that a cat’s requirements are not human-based, so understanding their needs can enhance our relationship with them.

“There are many things that can cause a cat to feel anxious or fearful including change and they need the opportunity to run, hide and climb to get away from what is making them fearful or when stressed.

“They will only fight if there is no other option available, or they have learned from previous experiences that this has a positive outcome for them.”


Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368

Topics