- It’s always difficult to see beloved public officials step down
Politicians come and go, such is the nature of their field. This has been very well exemplified by the current Trump administration, which has seen quite a bit of traffic both in and out of top positions.
But it’s not only the US government that has seen turnover recently. British decision-makers have also resigned in droves over the past several years, mostly due to the Brexit process.
Now, there’s been another governmental resignation in Jolly Ol’ England. This time, though, the one to resign is a cat.
Palmerston, the Chief Mouser of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, has announced he will be stepping down from his role at the end of August. The Foreign Office has not yet appointed a replacement for this essential government position.
In a public letter to the office’s Permanent Undersecretary Sir Simon McDonald, Palmerston stated that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced him to reevaluate his priorities.
“The spread of coronavirus around the world has caused many, like me, to begin working from home,” Palmerston said. “I have found life away from the front line to be relaxed, quieter, and easier. I have enjoyed climbing trees and patrolling the fields around my new home in the countryside.”
He noted that the servant staff at his country residence – to whom he affectionately referred to as his “family” – have also been “pleasingly assiduous” in serving his every need.
“Of course I love the hustle and bustle of the office. But as I grow older, I must take a step back from diplomatic duties and enjoy some me-time,” wrote Palmerston.
Success from the Start
The position of Chief Mouser was founded in 2016 and modeled after a similar one in place at the UK Prime Minister’s residence at 10 Downing Street. London’s mouse clans had slowly begun to take over the Foreign Office building after negotiations broke down some time earlier.
Palmerston’s distinguished diplomatic career began on April 13, 2016, when he arrived at the Foreign Office from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. He succeeded then-Chancellor George Osborne’s tabby Freya, who had carried out similar duties in an unofficial capacity.
Named after a mid-19th century foreign and prime minister Lord Palmerston, the new Chief Mouser quickly tackled the delicate issues he’d been hired to solve. In less than a month, The Telegraph reported that Palmerston had caught his first mouse.
This was, of course, only a beginning to an illustrious work history. During his time at the Foreign Office, Palmerston rubbed his head on many important foreign dignitaries and diplomats.
“I have been delighted to meet representatives from all over the world and I hope that I have done you proud in putting the UK’s best foot, or paw, forward in each interaction,” he wrote in his resignation letter.
“My signature move – pretending to be asleep while overhearing all the foreign dignitaries’ conversations – will be a major loss for our intelligence gathering,” he continued.
Scandalous Behavior
But Palmerston’s career did not pass without scandal. In particular, he often butted heads with his aforementioned colleague and rival Larry, Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office.
While the two attempted to keep their relationship professional, their heated exchanges often spilled out into public. On July 11, 2016, ITV News reporter Julie Etchingham caught Palmerston and Larry in the midst of a loud argument in the middle of Downing Street.
Later in the month, security guards at 10 Downing Street caught Palmerston after he had sneaked into the building. He had to forcibly evicted by police officers, and was later seen “looking furious” while having a stand-off with the law enforcement, The Telegraph reported.
Things came to a head once more on August 1, when Palmerston and Larry had a fight that got physical in full view of the political press. Photographer Steve Back described the tussle at the time to The Telegraph as “utterly appalling”.
“This morning I was [at Downing Street] covering normal political events and suddenly Palmerston appeared from the Foreign Office,” he said. “Suddenly, these two were at each other hammer and tongs.”
As a result of the melee, Palmerston was treated for an injury to his ear. Larry survived uninjured but lost his official collar.
After the scandal, the two were kept in check by their respective offices. Nonetheless, a year later in June 2017 The Telegraph wrote that Larry was still “clearly uneasy” around Palmerston.
Paw-sitive Leadership
But Palmerston’s occasional undiplomatic behavior is not known to have affected his career. He continued serving the Foreign Office with distinction despite his fiery rivalry.
In fact, in October 2017 Palmerston was given the honor of appointing his first envoys. He designated Lawrence of Abdoun, a white-and-black tomcat, as the Chief Mouser in the British Embassy in Amman, Jordan.
In November, he appointed the orphaned kitten Layla Pixie to a similar role in the British Consulate General in Istanbul, Turkey.
“Our diplocats and diplodogs have been excellent ambassadors who, I have faith, will continue their exemplary efforts without me,” Palmerston said.
Truly, Palmerston’s legacy will stand as a shining example to his successors. Even in the US, we thank you for your service, Palmerston.