Humphrey, Britian's most famous cat, passes

The most famous cat in the UK has died. Humphrey, a stray cat who wandered into the official residence of the prime minister in 1989, became the official designated mouser of No. 10 Downing Street. But he was not just famous for where he lived but also for being involved in several scandals. In 1994 the government had to issue an official denial after the cat was accused of killing a family of robins.

Then in 1997, just months after Tony Blair was elected, Humphrey disappeared. The opposition party took to accusing Blair of killing the cat because his wife didn't like felines. "Humphrey is now a missing person. Unless I hear from him or he makes a public appearance, I suspect he has been shot," said one politician.

The government was forced to arrange for press photos to prove Humphrey was still alive, saying he had gone to live with a civil servant to be treated for illness. Eventually all decided to leave the cat live in peace, which he did until passing at the age of 18.

Read more about Humphrey on Reuters, ITN, or Guardian Unlimited.