Police have launched an investigation after a suspected gunshot hit a taxi carrying Have I Got News for You star Ian Hislop. The incident occurred while Hislop was travelling in the back of a black cab in Soho, London, near the offices of Private Eye, the satirical magazine he has edited since 1986.
According to reports from The Guardian, the vehicle was stationary in traffic on Dean Street just after 10am on Tuesday when a suspected bullet struck the back window of the taxi. Both Hislop and the driver were unharmed in the incident, and police quickly closed off the area for investigation.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that they were called to respond to a “firearms discharge.” In a statement, the force said, “The driver of a London black taxi reported he was stationary in traffic when a shot was fired towards his vehicle, striking the window. There were no injuries, and an investigation has been launched.”
While the motive for the shooting remains unclear, police are reportedly keeping an open mind as to whether Ian Hislop was specifically targeted or if the incident was random. Sources have indicated that all possibilities are being considered.
Hislop, 64, is a well-known figure in British media, having been a long-serving panellist on the hit BBC comedy panel show Have I Got News for You since its debut in 1990. In addition to his television work, he has led Private Eye, a magazine known for its satire and investigative journalism, for over three decades.
The investigation into the suspected shooting is ongoing, and police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
This incident has shocked many, with questions surrounding the motive for such an attack. For now, both Hislop and the driver remain safe, and authorities continue to probe the circumstances of the event.
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