Crossword Genius

Lead away from party line (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sidetrack

'lead away' is the definition.
(sidetracked means led away from something)

'party line' is the wordplay.
'party' becomes 'side' (eg a side or party in a contract).
'line' becomes 'track' (track is a kind of line).
'side'+'track'='SIDETRACK'

'from' is the link.

(Other definitions for sidetrack that I've seen before include "small way" , "lead away" , "Provide diversion" , "Distract (from big issue)" , "draw away" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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