Crossword Genius

Developing public disturbance in which Democrat becomes sanctimonious (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

incipient

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'developing' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'public disturbance in which democrat becomes sanctimonious' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'in' is within the answer.
'sanctimonious' could be 'pi' (old-fashioned term for pious) and 'pi' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for incipient that I've seen before include "Nascent" , "Starting to happen" , "Beginning to develop" , "Beginning to exist, in an early stage" , "Developing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app