Could be spite due to being subordinates (8)
I believe the answer is:
deputies
'being subordinates' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'could be spite due' is the wordplay.
'could be' indicates an anagram.
'spite'+'due'='spitedue'
'spitedue' anagrammed gives 'DEPUTIES'.
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for deputies that I've seen before include "Persons authorised to act as substitutes for others" , "Political representatives" , "Stand-ins or next-in command officials" .)