Crossword Genius

Have doubts about group protecting American leader in Paris (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

suspect

'have doubts about' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'group protecting american leader in paris' is the wordplay.
'group' becomes 'sect' (I've seen this in other clues**).
'protecting' indicates putting letters inside.
'american' becomes 'us'.
'leader in' says to take the initial letters.
The initial letter of 'paris' is 'p'.
'us'+'p'='usp'
'sect' enclosing 'usp' is 'SUSPECT'.

(Other definitions for suspect that I've seen before include "Fishy" , "Possible criminal - doubtful" , "Doubt innocence of" , "Doubt - man held by police" , "Be ready to believe - one of the usual crowd?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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