Crossword Genius

Met types prepared to keep a place for latecomer (5,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

empty seat

'place for latecomer' is the definition.

'met types prepared to keep a' is the wordplay.
'prepared' is an anagram indicator.
'to keep' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'met'+'types'='mettypes'
'mettypes' anagrammed gives 'emptyset'.
'emptyset' enclosing 'a' is 'EMPTY SEAT'.

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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