Crossword Genius

Chap takes traitor to be inconsistent (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

erratic

'inconsistent' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'chap takes traitor' is the wordplay.
'chap' becomes 'eric' ().
'takes' is an insertion indicator.
'traitor' becomes 'rat' (rat can mean a treacherous person).
'eric' placed around 'rat' is 'ERRATIC'.

'to be' is the link.

(Other definitions for erratic that I've seen before include "Deep affection" , "Unstable" , "Irregular and unpredictable" , "Eccentric, aberrant" , "Mercurial" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror and The Daily Express.
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