Private Eye editor Ian Hislop “freaked out” amid fears a gun was fired at a London taxi he was travelling in, according to reports.
The 64-year-old had been in the back seat when the rear window shattered in Dean Street, Soho on Tuesday morning, close to the offices of Private Eye, the satirical magazine he has edited since 1986.
It was initially thought the black cab was hit by a bullet.
However, the Metropolitan Police later revealed there was “no evidence of a firearms discharge at this time” and suggested a mechanical fault might have caused the window to shatter.
A BBC insider told The Times Hislop was “actually quite freaked out by it all”, adding: “For nearly a whole day he genuinely thought he’d been shot at.”
Staff at Private Eye, known for its in-depth investigations into politicians and businesses, were also understood to be nervous after the events.
One said: “It hasn’t been a terribly funny 24 hours... it’s all been rather tense here.”
Hislop, who is also a team captain on BBC quiz show Have I Got News For You, later thanked “everyone for their concern”.
The BBC source recording for this Friday’s episode will “be a fun one”.
Police said they are continuing to investigate the circumstances around the incident.
It followed a call at around 10.10am from the driver who had reported he was “stationary in traffic in Dean Street when a shot was fired towards his vehicle, striking the window and damaging it”.
No injuries were reported.
A witness told the Daily Mail that Hislop sat outside a restaurant as police searched the taxi.
“He was shaking,” the man added. “When you’re a political journalist like him, you’ve got to be careful.”
Scotland Yard said: “Urgent CCTV and forensic examinations have been conducted.
“While inquiries are ongoing, police have found no evidence of a firearms discharge at this time.
“Initial indications suggest a mechanical fault might have caused the window to shatter. We await further tests.
“Police have informed the driver and passenger.”
In a statement he said: “The police investigating the incident in the taxi have now advised me that they have completed their forensic tests, have found no evidence of a firearm discharge and will be concentrating their investigations on indications that a mechanical fault caused the window to shatter.
“Thanks again to all concerned for their support and concern.”
The star also sent his thanks to officers and “all who contacted me”.
