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Burnham Keeps Axel in the North to Avoid Clash with Larry

Burnham said keeping his rescue dog in the north avoids disturbing Downing Street's chief mouser.

Overview

  • The prime minister told the BBC that Axel will not move into Downing Street because the dog “wouldn’t get on with Larry,” the resident No.10 cat.
  • He characterised Axel as having an “angry little man” temperament and said the bichon frisé–poodle cross will remain with the family in the north.
  • Axel is a rescue adopted through Dogs Trust after a short stay at the charity's Shrewsbury centre about ten years ago.
  • Coverage places the decision in the recent Downing Street tradition of leaders bringing dogs to No.10, citing Boris Johnson's Dilyn and Rishi Sunak's Nova as context for public expectations.
  • Burnham plans to work from No10 North so he can keep visiting Axel without relocating the dog and to preserve Larry's established role as the Downing Street mouser.