Criminal Act renders minister powerless (5)

I believe the answer is:

arson

'criminal act' is the definition.
(arson is a crime)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for arson that I've seen before include "Malicious fire-lighting" , "Torching" , "Fire requiring forensic study" , "Incendiary crime" , "Criminal activity" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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