Starmer welcomes Siberian kitten to Downing Street

Sir Keir Starmer's Downing Street operation has gained a new addition as the PM's family welcomed a Siberian kitten on Monday.

The prime minister disclosed that he had negotiated the purchase of a kitten - they had originally requested a German Shepherd dog when they moved into Downing Street.

Siberian cats are known for their long and fluffy coats. They are also hypoallergenic, which works well for any staffers with a cat allergy.

Speaking to Matt Chorley on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sir Keir admitted that installing a cat flap in the bomb-proof door of his family's Downing Street flat is "proving a little bit difficult".

Sir Keir revealed during the election campaign that his children were pushing to get a dog, with their sights set on a German Shepherd if they moved into Downing Street.

But there had been "a long summer of negotiations" with a "back and forth" over different options since his landslide win in July, the PM said.

"We are now getting a kitten instead of a dog," he said.

"And this is an agreement after long negotiations - I said we'd get in the room and sort it out."

The new kitten, which takes up residence on Monday, becomes the third cat living in Downing Street - joining Jojo the Starmer family cat and Larry, who has been Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office at 10 Downing Street since 2011.

"The problem we've got, which is the same for JoJo the cat, is that the only door out of our new flat is bomb proof," Sir Keir added.

"And therefore, getting a cat flap it is proving a little bit difficult.

"But our daughter's persuaded us that the problem isn't any bigger for two cats than one - and therefore, we're now getting this kitten."

Downing Street has been home to many pets over the years.

Rishi Sunak and family were joined by Nova, a Fox Red Labrador, during the former PM's tenure.

Nova took over as Britain’s top dog from Dilyn, Boris and Carrie Johnson's adopted Jack Russell.

During the war years, Sir Winston Churchill kept two cats, Nelson and Munich Mouser, and a poodle named Rufus at Downing Street.