Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleDavid LynchMonday 27 July 2026 09:36 BSTRelated: Andy Burnham to make it harder for people to claim benefits as he vows to ‘get serious’ about cutting welfare billAndy Burnham confirmed his pet dog, Axel, will not be relocating to Downing Street.The prime minister said that Axel, a bichon frise-poodle cross, “wouldn’t get on with Larry” the famous resident cat of No 10, during his first major broadcast interview with the BBC.Axel, affectionately referred to by the PM as “Famous Axel”, will instead remain in the north of England.Mr Burnham and his wife adopted Axel from Dogs Trust Shrewsbury around 10 years ago.During the interview, Mr Burnham also spoke about his mother's reaction to him becoming Prime Minister, mentioning his father's Alzheimer's.In fullAndy Burnham explains why rescue dog Axel won’t be joining him at No 10More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in