After being so bullish about calling an election, the Secretary of State has bottled it.
Chris Heaton-Harris was adamant he would announce a snap poll at one minute past midnight on October 28 - but his self-imposed deadline was simply a soundbite.
Failing to confirm a date for an election after weeks of building expectations cannot be described as anything other than another Tory U-turn.
Read more: Analysis: December Stormont Assembly election will only deepen divisions
The confusion should not really be a surprise from a Secretary of State appointed by Liz Truss and who just days ago was backing Boris Johnson to return as Prime Minister.
The delivery of his climbdown was also a shambolic mess from the Northern Ireland Office.
It spent all day stonewalling the media on when and how the Secretary of State would give an update on his next move.
When a time and location was eventually confirmed after 3pm, the press were given just 14 minutes advance notice.
Out walked a sheepish-looking Northern Ireland secretary from the UK Government department's Belfast headquarters. He spoke for under four minutes.
The NIO laughably attempted to enforce a 5pm embargo on the contents of his statement, despite the press conference taking place in public view on a busy city centre street.
Mr Heaton-Harris insisted he will still call an election, which begs the question what purpose does a delay serve?
It clearly suggests he is having second thoughts, given that no-one in Northern Ireland thinks an early election will achieve anything apart from deepening divisions.
Loyalist anger which has surfaced over rhetoric about the prospect of "joint authority" on Northern Ireland between the British and Irish governments only shows how easily tensions can escalate.
The law only requires an Assembly election to happen in the next 12 weeks. With December 15 the likely date and an election campaign lasting six weeks, it means the Secretary of State has another seven days to decide.
It is still possible a vote could be called off with emergency Westminster legislation, although the removal of Stormont's caretaker ministers from office has made matters more difficult.
In the meantime while Mr Heaton-Harris mulls over his options, Northern Ireland is once again left in limbo - made worse by the NIO's bungling incompetence.
READ NEXT:
Missing man Michael Casement sparks police appeal in Downpatrick
Cost of living: North Belfast bar forced to reduce opening hours due to rising costs
Power cut Northern Ireland: Number of areas affected in 'widespread fault'
How Derry is making 'access and inclusion' a priority for huge Halloween celebrations
Northern Ireland weather: Heavy flooding hits parts of Dungiven and Coleraine
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
