Crossword Genius

Phoneys besetting weak revolutionary? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fawkes

'revolutionary?' is the definition.
(Guy Fawkes)

'phoneys besetting weak' is the wordplay.
'phoneys' becomes 'fakes'.
'besetting' is an insertion indicator.
'weak' becomes 'w' (physics symbol as in W-boson).
'fakes' going around 'w' is 'FAWKES'.

(Other definitions for fawkes that I've seen before include "Guy --, conspirator" , "Guy -- (November 5)" , "Guy -- (Gunpowder Plot)" , "Gunpowder plotter" , "Guy . . . . . . burned in effigy on Nov 5th" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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