Jim White reveals bizarre reason he was 'FLATTENED' by police officer
Legendary broadcaster Jim White was involved in a bizarre altercation with a New York police officer at the World Cup.
White, who hosts the show White and Jordan on talkSPORT alongside former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan, is in the US to cover the tournament.
The 69-year-old has been recording his shows in the One World Trade Centre and was on his way there on Thursday when he ran into an issue.
White recalled the incident to fellow talkSPORT presenter Paul Hawksbee and explained how his route to work was blocked off by 'gridlocked' traffic.
This was because basketball team the New York Knicks were having a parade after winning the NBA Championship for the first time since 1973, with White explaining how this led to 'chaos' on the streets.
In his desperation to get to work, White made the bold decision to skip over a barrier, a choice that left him in hot water, as he was confronted by a New York police officer by the name of Vinny.
Jim White revealed he was 'flattened' by a New York police officer as he rushed to get to work
White explained how there was 'chaos' and 'gridlock' on the streets due to the New York Knicks parade after they won the NBA Championship
'The place is absolutely gridlocked,' he recalled. 'My hotel is less than an hour away. So I set off a bit earlier, but then I had problems trying to approach the World Trade Center.
'As you can see, I’m in, but the crucial moment came, Paul, when there was a barrier in front of me and I decided, right, do I or don’t I? And, surrounded by Knicks fans, I decided to jump the barrier.
'I was flattened by one of NYPD’s finest. They then told me, "hey, buddy, if you pull that stunt again, you’ll be arrested".'
A 'flustered' White added: 'I said, "Vinny, you’ve got to help me here. My name is Jim White. I do a show on talkSPORT with Simon Jordan. White and Jordan, you must have heard of it".
'And he looked at me as if, uh-huh, carry on. And he said, "right, let’s see what we can do". And Vinny, the senior policeman, and I’ll send a picture of this later, walks me to the top of Broadway and then down to the World Trade Center.
'And I have made it, so has producer Luke. So has Troy Deeney. Let me tell you, Simon Jordan is out there somewhere in amongst two million Knicks fans.
'Brad Friedel is in the same hotel as me and I don’t think Brad has decided it would be extremely prudent to jump the barrier trying to get here. There is utter chaos here, Paul, let me tell you. Chaos.'
Despite White's concerns, Jordan arrived at the studio soon after and insisted he wasn't troubled on his way into work, although some of the show's production staff were struggling to get there on time.
In a post on X later in the day, White shared a photo of him outside the studio with a police officer that appeared to be Vinny.
He added: 'A massive thanks to this senior NYPD officer who kindly guided me through strict security at the New York Knicks NBA Championship winning parade this morning!
'He got me on air at @talkSPORT and I’m forever grateful!'
He also posted a photo of one street being gridlocked during the parade and said: 'The NY Knicks Parade - no way through!!'
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
