Crossword Genius

Politician and artist in defamation case (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

liberal

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

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

'artist in defamation case' is the wordplay.
'artist' becomes 'ra' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'defamation case' becomes 'libel' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'ra' placed inside 'libel' is 'LIBERAL'.

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for liberal that I've seen before include "magnanimous" , "Free - generous - politician" , "In favour of policies of progress and reform" , "Favouring a political philosophy of progress and reform" , "Lavish" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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