Backing of popular independent initially left huge problem for dictator (9)
I believe the answer is:
mussolini
'for dictator' is the definition.
(Benito Mussolini, Italian dictator)
'backing of popular independent initially left huge problem' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is found in the answer.
'popular' could be 'in' ('in' can mean trendy) and 'in' is found within the answer.
'independent' could be 'us' (the puzzle setter and their Independent colleagues) and 'us' is located in the answer.
'left' could be 'l' (common abbreviation) and 'l' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mussolini that I've seen before include "Wartime leader" , "Il Duce" , "ruler" , "Italian WW2 dictator" , "Word War Two Italian dictator" .)