Private Eye editor Ian Hislop has expressed his thanks to “everyone for their concern” following an incident which saw the window of his taxi smashed.

The Have I Got News For You star, who lives in Sissinghurst, near Cranbrook, was in the back seat of the cab when it was initially believed to have been hit by a bullet.

The incident took place in Dean Street, Westminster, near the junction with Oxford Street and close to the Private Eye's offices, just after 10am yesterday (October 1).

However, it is now understood that there is no evidence a firearm was discharged.

In a statement today (October 2), a spokesperson for the Met Police said initial indications suggest a mechanical fault may have caused the window to shatter.

The force is waiting for further tests to be conducted and has since seized the vehicle.

At the time, the taxi driver told detectives the car was at a standstill in traffic when he heard a noise that sounded like something striking the window, reports suggest.

No injuries were reported.

A statement said Mr Hislop “wishes to thank everyone for their concern which is greatly appreciated”.

It continued: “He can confirm that there was an incident in a taxi yesterday in which a rear window shattered, and the police are investigating.

“They were initially looking into the possibility of a shot having been fired but have now indicated that there may be another more innocent explanation for what happened.”

Mr Hislop has been the editor of the satirical magazine Private Eye since 1986 and is believed to have become one of the most sued men in English legal history.