Declined to be escorted round German city (8)

I believe the answer is:

lessened

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'declined' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to change as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'escorted round german city' is the wordplay.
'escorted' becomes 'led'.
'round' is an insertion indicator.
'german city' becomes 'essen' (I've seen this before).
'led' enclosing 'essen' is 'LESSENED'.

'to be' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lessened that I've seen before include "Diminished, decreased" , "Needless (anag.)" , "cut" , "belittled" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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