| Sybil | |
|---|---|
Sybil, in her employment as the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office |
|
| Species | Cat |
| Sex | Female |
| Born | 2006 London, England |
| Died | 27 July 2009 (Aged 3) |
| Nation from | British |
| Occupation | Mouser |
| Employer | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Title | Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office |
| Term | 2007–2009 |
| Predecessor | Humphrey |
| Successor | Larry |
| Owner | Alistair Darling |
| Named after | Sybil Fawlty |
Sybil (2006 – 27 July 2009) was a cat living at 11 and 10 Downing Street. Named after Sybil Fawlty from the TV show Fawlty Towers, she was the pet of former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling.[1]
Confirmation of Sybil's tenure as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office was given on 11 September 2007 by Gordon Brown's official spokesman, who stated, "I understand the Darlings do have a cat, and the cat has recently been brought to Downing Street... The Prime Minister and Sarah do not have a problem with it. I am sure the cat will appear at some point".[1][2]
Sybil, who was black and white, was the first cat at Downing Street since Humphrey was reportedly removed in 1997 due to Cherie Blair's aversion to cats.[3][4]
Sybil failed to settle in Downing Street and there were rumours that Gordon Brown disliked her. She returned to Edinburgh in early 2009,[5] and died there[6] in July 2009 after a short illness.[7]
| Vacant
Title last held by
Humphrey |
Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office 2007 – 2008 |
Vacant
Title next held by
Larry |
|
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