Evil person right to leave a friend (5)
I believe the answer is:
fiend
'evil person' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'right to leave a friend' is the wordplay.
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'to leave' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'friend' with 'r' removed is 'FIEND'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for fiend that I've seen before include "Evil spirit, demon" , "addict" , "Demon; cruel person" , "Operatic super-soprano" , "Demon, ogre" .)