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Morally upright as the laic may be (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ethical

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'morally upright' is the definition.
'ethical' can be an answer for 'upright' (I've seen this in another clue). I am unsure of the 'morally' bit.

'the laic may be' is the wordplay.
'may be' indicates anagramming the letters.
'the'+'laic'='thelaic'
'thelaic' anagrammed gives 'ETHICAL'.

'as' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ethical that I've seen before include "not advertised to the general public" , "Morally correct, in accordance with principles" , "lt's available on prescription only" , "Principled (behaviour)" , "Morally proper" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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