Possible Clues:

• Monologue, in a manner of speaking
• 'According to some ...'
• Words that can precede a proverb
• How oral evidence is presented, apparently
• 'According to legend . . .'
• Introduction to an adage
• Independent to take a seat rejecting suspicious initial help, or so the story goes
• Independent to take a seat rejecting some initial help, or so the story goes
• In the interests of leader's support behind old paramilitaries or so the story goes
• 'So the story goes ...'