Crossword Genius

Gossips trashed lead congressman dropping ecstasy (14)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

scandalmongers

'gossips' is the definition.
(scandalmonger is a kind of gossip)

'trashed lead congressman dropping ecstasy' is the wordplay.
'trashed' indicates an anagram (I've seen this in other clues).
'dropping' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'ecstasy' becomes 'E' (informal term for the drug).
'lead'+'congressman'='leadcongressman'
'leadcongressman' with 'e' removed is 'ladcongressman'.
'ladcongressman' is an anagram of 'SCANDALMONGERS'.

(Another definition for scandalmongers that I've seen is " Gossips".)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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