False reports of isolated people in the main wanting independence (8)

I believe the answer is:

slanders

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'false reports' is the definition.
'slanders' can be an answer for 'reports' (I have seen 'hostile reports' mean 'slanders' so perhaps 'reports' could also mean 'slanders'). I am unsure of the 'false' bit.

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for slanders that I've seen is " hostile reports".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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