Crossword Genius

Copying a pointed article on Gateshead (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aping

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'copying' is the definition.
('ape' can be a synonym of 'copy')

'a pointed article on gateshead' is the wordplay.
'a pointed article on' becomes 'apin' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'gateshead' becomes 'g' (head letter of 'gates').
'apin'+'g'='APING'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aping that I've seen before include "Taking off" , "Parroting" , "Imitating, copying" , "Trying to repeat" , "Mimicking like monkey" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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