Crossword Genius

Cocaine hidden in shoe? It's malicious gossip (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

scandal

'malicious gossip' is the definition.
('scandal' can be a synonym of 'malicious gossip')

'cocaine hidden in shoe?' is the wordplay.
'cocaine' becomes 'c' (drugs abbreviation).
'hidden in' is an insertion indicator.
'shoe?' becomes 'sandal' (sandal is a kind of shoe).
'c' inserted into 'sandal' is 'SCANDAL'.

'it's' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for scandal that I've seen before include "Shocking thing" , "Malicious gossip" , "Public outrage; gossip" , "dirt" , "disgraceful behaviour" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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