Crossword Genius

Risk apprehending a supreme leader (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

imperial

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

'supreme leader' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'risk apprehending a' is the wordplay.
'risk' becomes 'imperil' (I've seen this in another clue).
'apprehending' is an insertion indicator.
'imperil' enclosing 'a' is 'IMPERIAL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for imperial that I've seen before include "Non-metric" , "Related to empire" , "Relating to empire" , "Mint --, sweet" , "To do with empire or emperor" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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