The British Foreign Office has hired a cat to wage war on mice inside the iconic building in Whitehall, nearly five years after 10, Downing Street employed a feline to kill rats in the Prime Minister's home.
Appointed as the Chief Mouser, two-year-old Palmerston will be living at one of the country's most famous addresses among the UK's top diplomats and ministers.
Foreign Office bosses has been quick to point out he will be no burden on the taxpayer.
"Palmerston's domestic posting will have zero cost to the public purrse as a staff kitty will be used to pay for him and all aspects of his welfur."
The Foreign Office statement also said: "Palmerston is Her Majesty Diplomatic Service's newest arrival and in the role of FCO Chief Mouser will assist our pest controllers in keeping down the number of mice in our King Charles Street building.
The cat is apparently named after Viscount Palmerston, who was foreign secretary almost 200 years ago before twice serving as prime minister.
Image: Guy Opperman MP/Twitter