Former US President Barack Obama Visits Downing Street

Former US President Barack Obama made an unexpected visit to Downing Street for a closed-door meeting with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Monday afternoon.

The meeting was described as an “informal courtesy drop in” during Obama’s trip to London. The meeting, shrouded in secrecy until Obama’s arrival, saw the two figures reportedly discussing the endeavours of the Obama Foundation, a nonprofit focused on social mobility founded by Obama himself in 2014.

Obama, whose tenure as president ran from 2009 to 2017, briefly interacted with the press as he made his way to his vehicle as journalists asked him to come talk, playfully remarking “I’m tempted” as he departed.

His visit to Downing Street marked his first visit since 2016 when he engaged in discussions with then-Prime Minister David Cameron ahead of the Brexit referendum, cautioning against the UK’s departure from the European Union.