Jenny and Jack defend sinner making statement (12)

I believe the answer is:

asseverating

'making statement' is the definition.

'jenny and jack defend sinner' is the wordplay.
'jenny' becomes 'ass' (jenny is a female ass).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'jack' becomes 'rating' (both can mean a sailor).
'defend' indicates putting letters inside.
'sinner' becomes 'eve' (Biblical figure).
'ass'+'rating'='assrating'
'assrating' enclosing 'eve' is 'ASSEVERATING'.

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app