Crossword Genius

Dirty trick reported at the same time (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

meanwhile

'at the same time' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'dirty trick reported' is the wordplay.
'dirty' becomes 'mean' (synonyms).
'trick' becomes 'wile' (wiles are tricks or deceptions).
'reported' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'wile' sounds like 'while'.
'mean'+'while'='MEANWHILE'

(Other definitions for meanwhile that I've seen before include "In the intervening time" , "On the other hand" , "in intervening period" , "For the moment" , "simultaneously" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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