Crossword Genius

Disturbing letters in papal bed: a malign influence? (3,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bad apple

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'disturbing letters' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot tell whether this works.

'papal bed a malign influence?' is the wordplay.
'papal bed' can be anagrammed to 'BAD APPLE'.
However, I'm not sure how the anagram is indicated.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bad apple that I've seen before include "someone with a corrupting influence" , "it infects the rest" , "it'll infect the others" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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