Crossword Genius

Reportedly close, say, brief statement (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

summary

'brief statement' is the definition.

'reportedly close say' is the wordplay.
'reportedly' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'close say' becomes 'summery' (close can mean stuffy or overly hot).
'summery' is a homophone of 'SUMMARY'.

(Other definitions for summary that I've seen before include "Precis, gist" , "Brief" , "Synopsis, outline" , "Immediate" , "Perfunctory" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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