Crossword Genius

Returning minister taken in by American dishonesty? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

knavery

'dishonesty?' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'returning minister taken in by american' is the wordplay.
'returning' says the letters should be written backwards.
'minister' becomes 'rev' (short for reverend).
'taken in by' is an insertion indicator.
'american' becomes 'yank' (Yank can informally mean an American).
'rev' inserted into 'yank' is 'yrevank'.
'yrevank' backwards is 'KNAVERY'.

(Other definitions for knavery that I've seen before include "Rascally behaviour" , "Wickedness" , "Chicanery" , "Dishonest behaviour" , "Roguishness" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app