Crossword Genius

Relatives of diplomats with cold, uncovered flesh (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

uncles

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'relatives' is the definition.
(uncle is a kind of relative)

'diplomats with cold uncovered flesh' is the wordplay.
'diplomats with' becomes 'un' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'cold' becomes 'C' (eg on taps).
'uncovered' indicates the central letters.
The centre of 'flesh' is 'les'.
'un'+'c'+'les'='UNCLES'

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for uncles that I've seen before include "Helper who looks after another person" , "Kinsmen" , "Older male relatives" , "Relations" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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