Larry The Cat 'Much-Loved', Cameron Insists

David Cameron has insisted his family "love" Larry, the Downing Street cat, after claims they were not a fan of the feline.

The Prime Minister told Sky News Radio that the tabby cat, who joined the staff at Number 10 two years ago, was "much-loved".

Political commentator Matthew d'Ancona suggested in his book that the Camerons "do not like the Downing Street cat, Larry, amid suggestions that the pet is a PR prop".

The idea of an unloved cat living in the heart of Government sparked a Twitter campaign to "Save Larry", who was brought in to address Downing Street's rodent problem.

But Mr Cameron insisted to Sky: "I'm very keen on Larry. My family love Larry and now we have got Freya as well, the Chancellor's cat.

"I think this story came from when I was once rude about Larry's mousing abilities. It is true that he once sat on a chair in my study at Number 10 and this mouse ran across the floor and Larry just lifted his head and had a look at it and did absolutely nothing."

He added: "He's a much loved cat and my family adore him."

The Prime Minister was apparently reluctant to have a cat but was worn down by his children and others within Downing Street.

But Larry proved slightly off his game and is said to have taken more than a year to secure his first kill, prompting Mr Cameron to admit he was a "terrible mouser".

Cats have a chequered history at Number 10 - Larry's predecessor Humphrey was famously moved on months after the Blairs took up residence in 1997.

Cherie Blair was forced to deny reports that he was being ousted because she disliked the animal.

She even posed for photographers cuddling the animal but the rumours she had him removed persisted.