Crossword Genius

Blunt little female minister putting men off (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

direct

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'blunt' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'little female minister putting men off' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'female' could be 'di' (short for Diana) and 'di' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'rect' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for direct that I've seen before include "Command to be straight" , "the shortest way" , "Straightforward, frank" , "Point the way" , "Take charge, of a film perhaps" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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