Malicious gossip (4)
I believe the answer is:
dirt
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">malicious gossip</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(synonyms)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for dirt that I've seen before include "scandalous gossip" , "'Mud, dust or grime (4)'" , "See 26" , "Scandalous info; earth" , "Earth; grime" .)