Crossword Genius

Ultimately, due process a bit problematic — much huffing and puffing on the bench? (4)

Ross

I think it could be either:

Which length description are you looking for?:

4

4,8
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'ultimately due process' is the definition.
'step' can be an answer for 'process' (thesaurus). I am not certain of the 'ultimately due' bit.

'a bit problematic much huffing and puffing on the bench?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'sep' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for step that I've seen before include "Movement in dancing" , "Pace (taken one at a time?)" , "Tread - stage" , "Gradation" , "bit of a dance" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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