Private Eye editor Ian Hislop was reportedly targeted in an alarming incident when shots were fired at a taxi he was travelling in. The unsettling event took place around 10 am on Tuesday in Soho, Central London, where a bullet struck the back window of a black cab. According to the driver who spoke with Scotland Yard detectives, the bullet hit the window on Dean Street, a location near the Private Eye office. Thankfully, both Hislop, aged 64, and the driver were unharmed during the incident, as reported by The Guardian.
The Metropolitan Police have stated that they are actively investigating the attack and are keeping an open mind about the possible motives behind it. A spokesperson for the police mentioned that they received a report of the firearms discharge on Dean Street, Westminster, at 10:10 am on Tuesday. The driver of the taxi reported that a shot was fired towards the vehicle while he was stationary in traffic, hitting the window but causing no injuries. Following the incident, an investigation was promptly launched.
As a result of the attack, roads in the popular tourist area of Soho were closed throughout Tuesday while the police conducted thorough searches and reviewed CCTV footage. Ian Hislop, who was born in Swansea, South Wales, is not just the editor of Private Eye since 1986 but is also a well-known figure as a regular team captain on the BBC comedy quiz show Have I Got News For You, a position he has held for an impressive 34 years.
Mr. Hislop’s representatives have been approached for comment by The Mirror regarding the incident. The police are diligently working on the case to ascertain the details and reasons behind this alarming attack on the prominent editor. More updates on the investigation are awaited as authorities continue to look into the matter.