Middleman regularly ignored plan (4)

I believe the answer is:

idea

'plan' is the definition.
(both can mean an intention)

'middleman regularly ignored' is the wordplay.
'regularly ignored' indicates alternate letters (letters removed at regular intervals).
The alternating letters of 'middleman' are 'IDEA'.

(Other definitions for idea that I've seen before include "Aim" , "Intention" , "Thought, belief" , "Plato's Form is" , "A suspicion of" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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