Former partner — one to scold or let off? (9)
I believe the answer is:
exonerate
'let off?' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'former partner one to scold' is the wordplay.
'former partner' becomes 'ex'.
'to scold' becomes 'rate' (I've seen this before).
'ex'+'one'+'rate'='EXONERATE'
'or' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for exonerate that I've seen before include "Declare to be free from blame" , "Pronounce not guilty of a crime" , "free of charge" , "Officially absolve from blame" , "Free of duty" .)