We Met The New Foreign Office Cat And Asked Him Five Important Questions

    He doesn't think much of Donald Trump tbh.

    Emily Ashton
    by Emily Ashton

    BuzzFeed News Reporter, UK

    This is Palmerston, the Foreign Office's new cat. He is the department's official chief mouser.

    Stefan Rousseau / PA

    The 2-year-old arrived at his new home on Wednesday and was greeted by a huge media circus outside the gates.

    Stefan Rousseau / PA

    Named after the former prime minister and foreign secretary, Palmerston was recruited from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. He arrived there in March after being found wandering the streets of London.

    Stefan Rousseau / PA

    After breaking the story on Monday, BuzzFeed News was invited to the Foreign Office to meet Palmerston. We joined him in the office of the permanent under-secretary (or PUS), Simon McDonald.

    Stefan Rousseau / PA

    When a photographer produced a piece of string, Palmerston was very eager to play. But, as he's a new senior member of the Foreign Office, we were keen to get his opinion on some of the most pressing foreign policy issues.

    BuzzFeed UK Politics @BuzzFeedUKPol

    First footage of Palmerston, the foreign office's new cat. 😍

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    Question 1: Do you believe in a two-state solution in the Middle East?

    Emily Ashton / BuzzFeed News

    This was his reaction. Clearly he needed more time to think this one through.

    Question 2: Can Bashar al-Assad ever be a part of Syria's future?

    Emily Ashton / BuzzFeed News

    We were starting to think he wasn't taking this seriously enough.

    Question 3: Do you think Britain should stay in the EU?

    Emily Ashton / BuzzFeed News

    This time he sat up and listened. Government officials in the room said this was a sure sign he was in the Remain camp.

    Question 4: Do you back independence for Catalonia from Spain?

    Emily Ashton / BuzzFeed News

    Palmerston went a bit wild at this one. He clearly has a strong opinion, although on which side it was hard to tell.

    And finally, Question 5: What do you make of Donald Trump's presidential bid?

    Emily Ashton / BuzzFeed News

    There was no disguising this reaction – clearly Palmerston harbours deep-rooted concerns.