Red first (8)
I believe the answer is:
cardinal
This clue is a double definition.
'red' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'first' is the second definition.
(thesaurus)
(Other definitions for cardinal that I've seen before include "Counsellor to the Pope" , "Red - chief - RC dignitary" , "Possibly one" , "High-ranking official of the Roman Catholic church" , "fundamental importance" .)