Crossword Genius

Devil embraces Remainers' leader, being intimate (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

friend

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

'intimate' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'devil embraces remainers'' is the wordplay.
'devil' becomes 'fiend' ('fiend' can be a synonym of 'devil').
'embraces' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'remainers'' becomes 'r' (this might be a standard abbreviation which I don't know about).
'fiend' going around 'r' is 'FRIEND'.

'leader being' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for friend that I've seen before include "Quaker - pal" , "Pal, mate" , "Colleague" , "One who gives proof of genuine regard" , "Buddy, chum" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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