Leaving after Independent denied award (4)
I believe the answer is:
gong
'award' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
(Other definitions for gong that I've seen before include "Dinner bell or slangy medal" , "Sound announcing meal" , "Medal; forty down" , "Percussion instrument - medal (slang)" , "Medal (sl.)" .)