Crossword Genius

Cons' miry, dirty, dodgy practice? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cronyism

'dodgy practice?' is the definition.
(unethical political practice)

'cons' miry dirty' is the wordplay.
'dirty' indicates anagramming the letters.
'cons'+'miry'='consmiry'
'consmiry' with letters rearranged gives 'CRONYISM'.

(Other definitions for cronyism that I've seen before include "old boy network" , "Appointment of friends to jobs, regardless of qualifications" , "Dubious appointments" , "Favouritism shown to friends and associates" , "The appointing of personal friends to jobs" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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