Aristocrat was source of leak, being subversively persuaded (7)

I believe the answer is:

nobbled

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'leak being subversively persuaded' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'aristocrat was source' is the wordplay.
'aristocrat' becomes 'nob' (I've seen this before).
'was source' becomes 'bled' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'nob'+'bled'='NOBBLED'

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nobbled that I've seen before include "Got at" , "Swindled" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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