Preston taxi driver still under investigation FIVE months after arrest for 'obscene' hate rant video

The 41-year-old hackney carriage driver was arrested five months ago on Wednesday, December 19, after he posted an 'obscene video' online.

The video went viral and was reported to Lancashire Police by a Preston woman who expressed concern over the video's 'extremist views'.

Prior to his arrest, more than 2,000 people signed a petition calling for his licence to be permanently revoked by Preston City Council.

The taxi driver was arrested under suspicion of religiously aggravated harassment before being released on bail "pending further investigation" until Wednesday, January 16.

His bail was then further extended until Sunday, March 10.

On March 19, Lancashire Police informed the Post that the man remained under investigation.

On Wednesday (May 29), following a five-month investigation into the alleged offence, the force confirmed that the controversial taxi driver is still under investigation.

Following his arrest, the driver handed in his hackney carriage licence after he was summoned before Preston City Council's Taxi and Miscellaneous Committee for review.

Preston City Council said he has not operated his taxi since January 9, and he has not asked for his licence/badge to be returned.

A spokesman for Preston City Council said: "We have not received a request from the driver for his licence/badge to be returned

"The review of his hackney carriage driver’s licence was adjourned by the Taxi and Miscellaneous Committee pending the completion of the Police investigation and any legal proceedings that may follow.

"Once completed then the Committee will meet again to continue with the review of the licence."

He later released a second video in which he apologised for his "offensive" comments.

Lancashire Police has not confirm when the investigation is likely to be concluded.