Debate fever gripping right (5)
I believe the answer is:
argue
'debate' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'fever gripping right' is the wordplay.
'fever' becomes 'ague' (I've seen this in other clues).
'gripping' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'ague' placed around 'r' is 'ARGUE'.
(Other definitions for argue that I've seen before include "Bandy words" , "Contest verbally, dispute" , "Discuss, contend" , "Have a difference of opinion" , "Dispute, bicker" .)