Is sorry about the present mess (7)
I believe the answer is:
repents
'is sorry' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'the present mess' is the wordplay.
'mess' indicates an anagram.
'present' anagrammed gives 'REPENTS'.
'about' is the link.
(Other definitions for repents that I've seen before include "Turns away from evil" , "Feels remorse for, sin perhaps" , "Feels sincere remorse" , "Expresses sorrow for sin" , "Present (anag.)" .)