Crossword Genius

Idiots on commission in English county (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

berkshire

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'idiots on commission in english county' is the definition.
'berkshire' can be an answer for 'county' (I've seen this before). I am unsure of the 'idiots on commission in english' bit.

'commission in english county' is the wordplay.
'commission in' becomes 'berk' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'english county' becomes 'shire' (I've seen this before).
'berk'+'shire'='BERKSHIRE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for berkshire that I've seen before include "County W. of_London" , "Windsor area" , "Southern county" , "English county" , "County west of London" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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