Crossword Genius

“A friend has a right,” I put in, “to be biased” (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

partial

'be biased' is the definition.
('partial' can be similar in meaning to 'biased')

'a friend has a right i put in' is the wordplay.
'a friend' becomes 'pal' (pal is a kind of friend**).
'has' is an insertion indicator.
'right' becomes 'rt'.
'put in' is an insertion indicator.
'a'+'rt'='art'
'pal' enclosing 'art' is 'partal'.
'partal' going around 'i' is 'PARTIAL'.

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for partial that I've seen before include "Fond of" , "Not complete or total, maybe an eclipse" , "Keen" , "Showing favouritism" , "Not complete, or with strong liking for" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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