Cruel dons trashed patriot in last resort? (9)

I believe the answer is:

scoundrel

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'patriot in last resort?' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'cruel dons trashed' is the wordplay.
'trashed' indicates an anagram.
'cruel'+'dons'='crueldons'
'crueldons' anagrammed gives 'SCOUNDREL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for scoundrel that I've seen before include "bad egg" , "Disreputable type" , "Hound" , "Bounder" , "Knave" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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