Inside 10 Downing Street, there is an ongoing civil war, not between a group of politicians, but between a dog and a cat.
According to Rishi Sunak’s wife, Larry the cat has been facing off against a new rival, a fox red Labrador called Nova.
Nova is the Sunak’s family pet, a dog who Akshata Murty says has “mixed emotions” about sharing territory with Larry.
Speaking to Sky Kid’s FYI programme, she talked about what it was like living in the famous house and the complications that have come from Nova and her new housemate.
The Times reported that she said: “I feel lucky, so grateful and so honoured to live here.
“Nova has mixed emotions […] because she sometimes doesn’t get on with Larry the cat, and they’ve had some heated exchanges and Larry’s come out on top.”
While Nova is embroiled in a furry civil war, this isn’t her first time on the famous street having lived with the family whilst Mr Sunak was Chancellor.
She joined the family after Mr Sunak’s daughters reportedly begged for a dog after meeting Boris Johnson’s Jack Russell cross Dilyn.
After Mr Sunak moved into No10, Nova suddenly found herself face to face with Larry, a tabby cat who has been a staple of Downing Street since 2011.
According to the No10 website: “Larry spends his days greeting guests to the house, inspecting security defences and testing antique furniture for napping quality.
“His day-to-day responsibilities also include contemplating a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house. Larry says this is still ‘in the tactical planning stage’.”
Speaking about life inside 10 Downing Street, Ms Murty said she enjoyed living in the building.
She explained that she enjoyed having a “sneak peek in a way of historical place”.
She added that it was a “very special time in my life to help support my husband in the job he’s doing while opening up the doors to young people”.
Ms Murty commented: “I’ve had a busy life before. I have a busy life now.
“I think what’s been incredible is the range of opportunities that I’ve been exposed to, meeting really interesting people.”
