Sybil (c. 1999 – 27 July 2009) was a cat living at 10 and 11 Downing Street who was employed as the chief mouser to the Cabinet Office as the pet of the chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, and his wife, Margaret. When introduced in September 2007 Sybil was the first cat employed at Downing Street as chief mouser since Humphrey, who retired in November 1997. Six months after moving Sybil, who did not adjust well to life in central London, was moved to the home of one of the Darlings' friends; on 27 July 2009 she died there after a short illness.
Sybil | |
|---|---|
 Sybil in 2007 | |
| Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office | |
| In role 11 September 2007 – January 2009 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Gordon Brown |
| Preceded by | Humphrey (1997) |
| Succeeded by | Larry (2011) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1999 |
| Died | (aged about 10) London, England |
| Owner |
|
| Named after | Sybil Fawlty |
| Occupation | Mouser |
Early life and career
editSybil was born around 1999[note 1] and was named after Sybil Fawlty, a character in the BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers.[2][3] Several publications described her as being of Scottish origin.[2][3][4] She was moved from the chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling's family residence in Edinburgh to 11 Downing Street in the summer of 2007,[5] and employed as chief mouser to the Cabinet Office in September of that year.[6] A spokesman for the prime minister, Gordon Brown, said in a press briefing that he "[understood] Mr and Mrs Darling have a cat and it has recently been brought to Downing Street",[3] and that Brown and his wife, Sarah, "do not have a problem with it".[2][7][8] Unlike her predecessor Humphrey, who was given £100 per year after his retirement,[9] Sybil did not receive any money from the Cabinet Office to cover food and veterinary costs, with the Darlings covering those expenses.[10] Sybil was the first cat at Downing Street since Humphrey was removed in November 1997,[11] possibly because of Cherie Blair's reported aversion to cats.[12] Upon her arrival The Daily Telegraph stated that those who had written to the Treasury concerning Sybil's welfare had received a "souvenir photo" of her in return.[13]
On 13 September 2007, two days after her introduction,[14] the former prime minister Margaret Thatcher met Sybil during a visit to 10 Downing Street.[15] In March 2008 Sybil was prohibited from hunting mice in the Treasury because of maintenance regulations restricting the use of animals for pest control.[16]
Retirement and death
editSix months after moving to Downing Street Sybil, who did not adjust well to life in central London, was moved to the home of one of the Darling family's friends in London. On 27 July 2009 she died after a short illness; the chancellor's spokeswoman announced that Sybil had died at the Darlings' friend's home in London,[5][17][18] whilst The Independent stated that Margaret had returned Sybil to Scotland, and that she had died there.[10]
See also
editReferences
editNotes
editCitations
edit- ^ Porter, Andrew; Reece, Damian (13 September 2007). "Chancellor who wants a return to prudence". The Daily Telegraph. p. 14. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ a b c Assinder, Nick (11 September 2007). "No 10 gets new feline first lady". BBC News. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
- ^ a b c Prince, Rosa (12 September 2007). "Downing Street gets new cat". The Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ Crichton, Torcuil (28 July 2009). "Darling's cat Sybil dies after a short illness". The Herald. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ a b Pierce, Andrew (28 July 2009). "Downing Street cat Sybil dies". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ Ashton, Emily (28 July 2009). "Sybil the Downing St mouser is dead". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ Sleator, Laurence; Kraemer, Daniel (24 July 2019). "The new PM's first job: Impress the cat". BBC News. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Morning press briefing from 11 September 2007". pm.gov.uk. 11 September 2007. Archived from the original on 4 January 2008. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- ^ Morris, Nigel (12 September 2007). "Introducing Sybil, Downing Street's first cat for a decade". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- ^ a b McSmith, Andy (29 July 2009). "Farewell to the original New Labour cat". The Independent. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
- ^ Helm, Toby (12 September 2007). "Sybil the cat sets up home in Number 10". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ Hardman, Robert (6 May 1997). "Trappings of family life threaten Humphrey's patch". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 27 May 2002. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
- ^ "Downing St's new star is Darling's Sybil". The Daily Telegraph. 1 November 2007. p. 42. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ Tran, Mark (13 September 2007). "Thatcher visits Brown for tea at No 10". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "Maggie's Marvin moment". The Independent. 17 September 2007. p. 41. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "Sybil banned from Treasury mouse hunt". Evening Standard. 3 March 2008. p. A2. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ White, Julia (29 July 2009). "Downing Street cat Sybil dies". Daily Express. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- ^ "Ex-Downing Street cat Sybil dies". BBC News. 28 July 2009. Archived from the original on 20 October 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2023.