A group of former Muslims in Preston have joined calls for a city taxi driver to be stripped of his licence.

Councillors are due to discuss the case of Zaheer Hassan during Wednesday (9 January).

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The 41-year-old was investigated by police, and remains on bail, after a hate-rant video surfaced online.

Mr Hussain was confirmed as holding a Hackney carriage licence in the city and the city council had investigated his conduct.

The video, which was against Muslims who had converted to Christianity, was viewed tens of thousands of times on social media.

Fatima Nawaz Khan, of the Ex-Muslims Preston Association, has written to the licensing department in advane of the hearing.

She said: “I am a representative and member of the ex-Muslims community in Preston. In the last three years and just in Preston alone over 40 people have left Islam for all different reasons. For the safeguarding of these individuals and with their permission they have to remain anonymous.

“With ex-Muslims it takes many years of mental struggle to finally break free from the shackles of family and community pressure. Our group gives people an opportunity to join a new community of people that they can relate to and not hide from.

“Zaheer Hussain’s video where he violently threatens to endanger ex-Muslims by sexual assault has frightened our community so much. His video was discussed at our meeting this week, where we meet to address the pertinent issues affecting the wellbeing of our group members.

“We do strongly think that his licence should be cancelled. His views are dangerous and affects our community.”

A petition calling for Mr Hussain to lose his licence has been signed by more than 2,000 people.

Councillors will hear the licence decision in private during the committee meeting, with a spokesperson confirming to the Lancashire Post that Hussain’s case would be heard.