Ketua Perangkap Tikus

Britain has a new Prime Minister. While David Cameron may have been very busy in appointing ministers and officials to key government positions, there is one post that greatly interests me. That is the position of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office (this title - as with a lot of other titles or names - holds a lot more glamour than its malay translation).

Appointed officials are considered 'civil servants' and reside at the iconic 10 Downing Street. Operating from such a position, you will get the opportunity to be involved in the heartbeat of the current administration, rub shoulders (among many other body parts you can choose from) with top dignitaries from around the world and be the social and media darling. Downside? You only get paid £100 per year. Oh and you must meow.

As the name suggests, your job is to exterminate the little furry rodents that scamper around the hundred or so rooms at 10 Downing. The last Chief Mouser was Sybil.

Looks like her dad must have been a cow at some stage

Sybil started her term on the 11th September 2007, but failed to settle in and left after six months. It was rumored that Gordon Brown disliked Sybil, though I suspected it was the other way round. She died in July 2009.

Sybil patrolling the grounds

Now, her predecessor was something of a legend. Humphrey held the position so long that he served under 3 Prime Ministers.

Some highlights of Humphrey's career:

-Humphrey was said to be of considerably better value than the Cabinet's professional pest controller who charged £4,000 a year but was reported to have never caught a mouse.

- In November 1993, Humphrey was found to be suffering from a kidney ailment and a strict diet was instituted. A ban on feeding him treats was put in place.

- In June 1994, Humphrey was accused of killing 4 robin chicks who was nesting in a box outside the office of the Prime Minister. Then Prime Minister John Major exonerated him the next day.

- In June the following year, Humphrey went missing. He was found patrolling the nearby Royal Army Medical College where he was taken in on the assumption that he was a stray. Upon his return to 10 Downing, Humphrey issued a statement through the civil service saying, "I have had a wonderful holiday at the Royal Army Medical College, but it is nice to be back and I am looking forward to the new parliamentary session."

- Humphrey was manipulated out of office months after the Blairs moved in to 10 Downing Street. He was apparently sedated and forced into retirement.

- He died March 2006.

I could definitely make use with a Chief Mouser in my office too... but too bad, I'm a dog person.