Historic hand washer (6)

I believe the answer is:

pilate

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'historic hand washer' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

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(Other definitions for pilate that I've seen before include "Roman who authorised the crufixion of Jesus" , "Biblical judge who asked 'What is truth'" , "Biblical Roman procurator of Judaea" , "Pontius, hand-washing judge" , "Pontius -, Roman procurator of Judaea" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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