Sybil (cat)

Sybil Darling
File:Sybil the cat.jpg Sybil, in her employment as the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office
Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office
In office September 2007 – January 2009
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	Gordon Brown
Preceded by	Humphrey
Succeeded by	Larry
Personal details
Born	2006 London, United Kingdom
Died	Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Nationality	British
Occupation	Mouser

Sybil Darling (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 then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling.

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".

Sybil, who was black and white, was the first cat at Downing Street since Humphrey was reportedly removed in November 1997, due to Cherie Blair's aversion to cats. However, Sybil failed to settle in Downing Street, and there were rumours that Gordon Brown disliked her. In January 2009, she returned to Edinburgh. On 27 July 2009, she died in Edinburgh, due to a short illness.

References

Vacant Title last held by Humphrey

Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office 2007–2009

Vacant Title next held by Larry