White House confirms Obama did warn Biden about his surprise talks with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak: Karine Jean-Pierre knocks down claims of a rift and insists they are 'like family and speak regularly'

The White House said former President Barack Obama gave President Biden a heads up before his surprise appearance at Downing Street on Monday for talks with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

 The confirmation comes as the White House attempts to bat down reports of a rivalry between Biden and his old boss.

'We were aware in advance of the meeting,' White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One as President Biden headed to Reno, Nevada on Tuesday.

'President Obama's team reached out to the White House ahead of the meeting,' Jean-Pierre added.

The former president was spotted waving and smiling as he strolled up to the No10 door on Monday afternoon.

Jean-Pierre described Obama's visit to the leader across the pond as a 'informal courtesy call  conducted by a private citizen in his personal capacity.'

Obama made a surprise appearance in Downing Street for talks with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday

The White House said Obama's team did reach out ahead of his sit down with PM Sunak

It comes after Axios reported over the weekend that Biden and Obama do not speak frequently, but behind closed doors, Biden talks about Obama a lot. 

The report claimed Biden 'often measures himself against the man he served as vice president,' according to aides.

It stated there is a rivalry, particularly on Biden's side. 

When asked the last time the pair did speak on Tuesday, Jean-Pierre said she did not have a call to read out.

 'As you know they're close, they're like family. They speak regularly,' she said.

Her comments aboard Air Force One were similar to what she said from the White House podium on Monday. 

'The two presidents, President Obama and President Biden, have a very good relationship,' said Jean-Pierre. 'You all have seen it over the past several years.'

Obama appearing with Biden and Vice President Harris at the White House in 2022

Obama has visited the White House several times since Biden took office in 2021. 

The former president first returned to the White House since he left office in April 2022 to celebrate the Affordable Care Act with Biden.

He was also there later that year for the unveiling of the official White House portraits of him and former First Lady Michelle Obama.  

More recently, the pair released an ad together for the ACA at the end of last year.

Later this month, Obama will join Biden and former President Bill Clinton for a first of its kind fundraiser in New York City as Biden makes a bid for a second term.

Obama has publicly praised Biden often and has already appeared in a Biden reelection campaign ad. 

He is expected to be a top surrogate for his former vice president as Biden runs for reelection in a likely rematch against former President Trump.

Obama and Biden together at the White House in September 2022 for the ceremony to unveil the official Obama White House portraits

Obama and Biden at the White House in April 2022 for an event to mark the passage of the Affordable Care Act

Obama's Downing Street visit, which lasted around an hour as the pair chatted in the PM's study, was described as a 'courtesy call' as Obama happened to be in London.

No 10 said little about the content of their conversation, but both men have two daughters and a shared agenda of promoting education and opportunities for girls. 

The agenda is a central mission of Mr Obama’s foundation, and speaking at a business event in Warwickshire earlier, the Prime Minister said: ‘I want my girls to grow up in an economy and society where there is no limit to their aspirations.’

The PM's official spokesman said: 'He was making an informal courtesy drop-in as part of his trip to London, where he is conducting work of the Obama Foundation.'

The spokesman added: 'I think President Obama's team made contact and obviously the Prime Minister was very happy to meet with him and discuss the work of the Obama Foundation.'

A spokesperson for Obama declined to reveal the purpose of the visit instead referring DailyMail.com to the 10 Downing statement.

The former US president waved and smiled as he strolled up to the famous No10 door this afternoon

Upon leaving the meeting the former president was seen with US ambassador to the UK Jane D Hartley.

He smiled and said 'I'm tempted' when he was asked his opinion on the state of Russian democracy by reporters before getting in a Range Rover.

Obama later held private talks with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.  

Obama was in the White House from 2009 to 2017, with Biden serving as his vice president.