Diminutive, he lacks a means of protection (6)

I believe the answer is:

edward

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'diminutive he lacks a' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'means of protection' is the wordplay.
'means of' becomes 'ed' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'protection' becomes 'ward' (ward can mean protection or care).
'ed'+'ward'='EDWARD'

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(Other definitions for edward that I've seen before include "Elgar or Lear, for instance" , "Lear, maybe" , "The Black Prince" , "First name of Mr Rochester (Jane Eyre)" , "Sir -- Elgar, composer" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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