Rishi Sunak’s dog having ‘heated exchanges’ with Larry the cat in Downing Street

Larry the cat is often seen strutting around Downing Street, keen to show who is boss.

The pet has been pictured perched outside the black door marking his territory, but many have wondered how he behaves within.

Now, Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty, 43, has revealed “heated exchanges” have taken place between him and their family’s fox red Labrador retriever, Nova – and Larry has won the argument.

Offering a rare glimpse into life in No 10, she told the Sky Kids FYI show: “Nova has mixed emotions about (living here) because she sometimes doesn’t get on with Larry the Cat.

“And they’ve had some heated exchanges and Larry’s come out on top.

“So she might have some mixed opinions on living here. But, you know, our family is so grateful to be here.”

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Larry has lived in No10 for 12 years, accompanying five prime ministers – David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Mr Sunak – throughout the political turmoil of the last decade.

But Nova is not the first pet in a Prime Minister’s family to enter Larry’s stomping ground, as Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie had a Jack Russell called Dilyn, who was rescued from a puppy farm.