Find papers backed head of government in revolt (3,2)
I believe the answer is:
dig up
'find' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'papers backed head of government in revolt' is the wordplay.
'papers' becomes 'ID' (identification papers).
'backed' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'head of' indicates taking the first letters.
'in revolt' becomes 'up' (I've seen this in other clues).
The first letter of 'government' is 'g'.
'id' reversed gives 'di'.
'di'+'g'+'up'='DIG UP'
(Other definitions for dig up that I've seen before include "Uncover (something hidden)" , "Unearth" , "Find" , "Disinter" , "Excavate - discover" .)