Crossword Genius

Nominal leader would be sacked if he argued (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

figurehead

'nominal leader' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'sacked if he argued' is the wordplay.
'sacked' is an anagram indicator (sack can mean to plunder or destroy).
'if'+'he'+'argued'='ifheargued'
'ifheargued' is an anagram of 'FIGUREHEAD'.

'would be' is the link.

(Other definitions for figurehead that I've seen before include "bust from the navy" , "Nominal leader; carved bust at prow of ship" , "not as important as he looks?" , "may be bust" , "Nominal leader without much power" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app