Murder in Downing Street: Foreign Office cat kills duckling after it waddled in

The Foreign Office’s resident cat has shown it has a vicious streak by dismembering a duckling.

Palmerstom, the black and white tom, was spotted in Downing Street with the unfortunate animal dangling from his jaws recently and is thought to have pounced on the duckling as it walked with its mother between the famous street and the nature reserve in St James's Park.

Efforts by onlookers to prevent the bloody encounter were unsuccessful.

The black and white tom has a reputation as a fearsome mouser, far outstripping the resident cat at No10, Larry.

A Freedom of Information request last September revealed that Palmerston has 27 confirmed kills of mice since he was adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2016.

But it is believed to be the first time he has managed to snack on duck.

Earlier this year it was reported doting staff had been urged to stop feeding him because it was making him lazy about hunting.

Palmerston has become a firm favourite with workers and visitors at the Foreign Office.

Palmerston and 10 Downing Street’s Larry have not had the easiest of relations, with a series of public fights in which the Foreign Office feline usually comes off best.