Crossword Genius

Round leader in parliament, Charles I scattered guards (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spherical

'round' is the definition.
('spherical' can be similar in meaning to 'round')

'leader in parliament charles i scattered guards' is the wordplay.
'leader in' indicates taking the first letters.
'scattered' is an anagram indicator.
'guards' indicates putting letters inside.
The initial letter of 'parliament' is 'p'.
'charles'+'i'='charlesi'
'charlesi' anagrammed gives 'sherical'.
'p' placed inside 'sherical' is 'SPHERICAL'.

(Other definitions for spherical that I've seen before include "Globe-shaped" , "Rotund" , "Ball-shaped" , "Completely round" , "Like a ball" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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