Humphrey, the UK's Most Influential Cat, Dies at 18

From The Guardian:

Humphrey the cat, who has died at the advanced age of 18, was one of the most prominent felines in British political life since an ancestor emerged as a significant backstairs adviser to Sir Richard Whittington in his bid to become mayor of London in the 14th century.

In a career that straddled late Thatcherism, the turbulent years when John Major struggled to sustain the Tory hegemony and an unhappy twilight under Tony Blair, Humphrey occupied a unique position in Downing Street that allowed him both to observe and influence great events. In his capacity as official designated mouser in what remained, despite enormous sums spent on renovations, a fine example of a jerry-built 17th-century speculative building, Humphrey was an invaluable member of the team.