By Matthew Thompson, Political Correspondent
Once we obtained phrase of a last-minute speech from Rishi Sunak on the steps of Downing Avenue, the rumors had been squashed.
Such units are normally reserved for bigger bulletins. Was it a basic election? Some other large initiatives?
Ultimately, what we obtained was a brief speech that was heavy on rhetoric however gentle on motion.
The prime minister was in scathing type as he described a “surprising rise” in extremism in current months.
He referred to as George Galloway's victory within the Rochdale by-election “past alarming”.
It was a passionate protection of British values.
He referred to as the UK “the world's most profitable multi-ethnic, multi-faith democracy”, however in the identical vein, warned it was beneath menace.
But when that was the prognosis, what was the plan? What was the grand technique to sort out the issue?
Standing on the lectern within the darkness of the gathering, the Prime Minister introduced a “sturdy new framework” for tackling extremism, to be introduced later this month.
It was gentle on particulars however appeared to incorporate, amongst different issues, extra help for the prevailing Forestall extremism program and requiring universities to crack down on extremism.
As a recipe for what Mr Sunak rightly recognized as a significant drawback for British democracy, it felt nearly as moist because the climate on a Friday night time.