Declares the fellow to be a top politician (9)

I believe the answer is:

statesman

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a top politician' is the definition.
'statesman' can be an answer for 'politician' (statesman is a kind of politician). I am not sure about the 'a top' bit.

'declares the fellow' is the wordplay.
'declares' becomes 'states' (I've seen this in another clue).
'the fellow' becomes 'man' (fellow can mean a man).
'states'+'man'='STATESMAN'

'to be' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for statesman that I've seen before include "Experienced politician" , "Distinguished politician" , "Respected politician" , "Eminent politician" , "Political leader" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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