Obama Holds Secretive Meeting with Powerful Foreign Leader
Former President Barack Obama made a visit to London on Monday, during which he met with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The meeting took place at Sunak’s private government residence on Downing Street, although specific details of their discussions were not disclosed.
According to the U.K.’s Guardian, Obama paid Sunak, who has been the Conservative Party leader and prime minister since October 2022, a “courtesy” visit while in town for work with his private foundation.
A spokesperson for Sunak described Obama's visit as “an informal courtesy drop-in as part of his trip to London.”
“I believe President Obama’s team reached out, and the prime minister was pleased to meet with him to discuss the work of the Obama Foundation,” the spokesperson said.
The Guardian mentioned that Obama and Sunak had a one-hour meeting, which was kept private, and no photos were released to the public.
The only topic disclosed from their conversation was reportedly about the advancement of artificial intelligence.
Upon leaving the meeting with Sunak, Obama was accompanied by Jane Hartley, the U.S. ambassador to the U.K.
When questioned by British media about the state of democracy in Russia, Obama responded, “I’m tempted,” without further elaboration.
Former US president Barack Obama was seen leaving Downing Street after a 'private meeting' with Rishi Sunak.
— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 18, 2024
Downing Street said the meeting was a "courtesy visit" while Mr Obama is in London for meetings to do with his foundation. https://t.co/XfOHtThHkz pic.twitter.com/SZvsyjTPFg
No additional public statements were made by the former president.
Additionally, The Guardian reported that Obama also met with British Labour Party leader Keir Starmer following his visit to Downing Street, although the details of their discussion were not disclosed.
It was not clear how long Obama intended to stay in the U.K. as of early Tuesday.
Obama had not visited the Downing Street residence since leaving office in January 2017.
As Politico Europe recalled, during his last visit in April 2016, Obama cautioned the British against supporting Brexit, warning that the U.K. would face challenges negotiating trade deals with the U.S. if voters approved leaving the EU.
Despite the warning, British voters backed the Brexit plan in June 2016, with a margin of 52-48, surprising even some of the plan's supporters, as reported by The New York Times.