Rebel banished P&O and left vessel (9,4)

I believe the answer is:

abandoned ship

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

'left vessel' is the definition.
'abandoned ship' can be an answer for 'vessel' (abandoned ship is a kind of vessel). I'm unsure of the 'left' bit.

'rebel banished po and' is the wordplay.
'rebel' indicates anagramming the letters.
'banished'+'po'+'and'='banishedpoand'
'banishedpoand' anagrammed gives 'ABANDONED SHIP'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for abandoned ship that I've seen before include "left failing organisation" , "Hurriedly left an organisation or enterprise" , "Took to the lifeboats" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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