Palmerston, former Foreign Office chief mouser, dies in Bermuda
It was announced that Palmerston, the much-loved former chief of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, passed away peacefully in Bermuda. The feline diplomat, rescued from Battersea Home for Dogs and Cats, served in Whitehall for four years before retiring in 2020 and became a popular figure with staff and the public.
After a period in which he enjoyed life “out of the limelight”, Palmerston made a surprise return to public service in February 2025, taking on the unique role of “cat affairs advisor (semi-retired) to the new Governor of Bermuda”. In this new episode, he was seen continuing his diplomatic duties in a sunnier environment.
Announcing his death, a post on Palmerston’s
During his tenure at Westminster, Palmerston was rumored to be embroiled in a long-running feud with Number 10’s head rat, Larry. Despite the alleged rivalry, a touching tribute was posted on Larry’s X account: “Farewell old friend x.” Labor MP Sarah Champion also wrote simply: “RIP.”
After his retirement in 2020, a letter written on Palmerston’s behalf to Sir Simon McDonald, then permanent undersecretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, explained his desire to spend more time “away from the limelight” after enjoying “working from home” during the coronavirus outbreak. The letter said: “I found life away from the front lines comfortable, quieter and easier.”
His influence was also highlighted, stating: “My 105,000 Twitter followers show that even those with four legs and fur can play an important role in the UK’s global efforts. I have supported our work, built our relationships and celebrated the diversity of our staff.”
At the time, Foreign Office staff paid tribute to Jon Benjamin, director of the department’s Diplomatic Academy, wishing him a “very happy retirement” and recalling an amusing incident: “He once left us a slightly chewed-up dead mouse next to my desk at @UKDipAcademy and of course we weren’t very grateful.”
