Crossword Genius

Elevated Commie sadly admitting worker's a cold-blooded type (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

salamander

'a cold-blooded type' is the definition.

'elevated commie sadly admitting worker's' is the wordplay.
'elevated' says the letters should be written backwards.
'commie' becomes 'red' (red is a kind of commie).
'sadly' becomes 'alas' (I've seen this before).
'admitting' indicates putting letters inside.
'worker' becomes 'man' (man is a kind of worker).
'red'+'alas'='redalas'
'redalas' written backwards gives 'salader'.
'salader' placed around 'man' is 'SALAMANDER'.

(Other definitions for salamander that I've seen before include "Tailed amphibian" , "Long-tailed amphibian" , "Fiery spirit" , "Beast" , "Newt-like amphibian" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app