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London - In the latest break with the Blair era, a cat is back in residence at Downing Street for the first time in a decade.
The job of official mouser has gone to Sybil, the black and white cat owned by Chancellor Alistair Darling and his wife, Margaret.
She follows in the famous paw-steps of Humphrey, named after Sir Humphrey Appleby in Yes, Minister, who served Margaret Thatcher and John Major before being mysteriously "retired" in 1997 amid rumours that Cherie Blair was allergic to cats.
The Darlings have brought Sybil, named after the character played by Prunella Scales in Fawlty Towers, from their Edinburgh home to live in their flat above 10 Downing Street.
The Darlings will be footing the bill for the Government's newest recruit.
- Independent
