Crossword Genius

A man partisan leaders fool (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

patrick

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'a man' is the definition.

'partisan leaders fool' is the wordplay.
'partisan leaders' becomes 'pa' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'fool' becomes 'trick' (I've seen this before).
'pa'+'trick'='PATRICK'

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(Other definitions for patrick that I've seen before include "Irish patron saint" , "Patron saint who said 'Shoo!' to serpents" , "Name" , "- - Swayze: film actor" , "-- Moore, astronomer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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