Crossword Genius

Actual victim blocks statement contesting allegations (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rebuttal

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'statement contesting allegations' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'actual victim blocks' is the wordplay.
'actual' becomes 'real' (synonyms).
'victim' becomes 'butt' (as in the butt of a joke).
'blocks' means one lot of letters goes inside another (to block can mean to plug a gap in something).
'real' going around 'butt' is 'REBUTTAL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rebuttal that I've seen before include "Confutation" , "Counter-statement" , "Refuting argument" , "A contradiction of evidence" , "Negation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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