MP's guide dog aims for Larry the cat's popularity

Torbay MP Steve Darling with Jennie the guide dog

Larry the cat, who lives at Number 10 Downing Street, has a new rival for the affection of the nation.

Larry, with more than 800,000 followers on X, (formerly Twitter) is top cat in Westminster.

But hot on his heels is Jennie, new Lib Dem MP Steve Darling's guide dog, who has just topped 18,000 followers.

"Jennie has vowed to catch up with Larry the cat," said Torbay MP Mr Darling, referring to @rthonjennie, which he does not run.

Larry: Top cat at Number 10

Jennie assists Mr Darling when he is in the Palace of Westminster and at home in Devon.

The MP has a genetic eye condition called Stargardt disease, so his "world is a bit like looking through frosted glass".

Jennie said on X: "Can’t wait to meet @Number10cat soon. I have a feeling we’re going to be best friends."

She is one of several four-legged helpers in Westminster and Whitehall.

Mr Darling said she has not met the Speaker's cats Clem and "head mouser" Attlee, but Sir Lindsay Hoyle has pampered the three-quarter golden retriever, one-quarter Labrador after the MP's swearing-in.

In the House of Lords, guide dog Barley assists former Labour home secretary Lord Blunkett, and Nancy supports the work of Lord Holmes of Richmond on the Conservative benches.

Mr Darling said: "I would say that Jennie is enjoying being here because she probably gets more time at the park, because you can probably, wherever you're staying (in London), plan to go through a park on the way here."

Jennie is hoping to be best friends with Larry