Crossword Genius

Says the fellow is a politician (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

statesman

'politician' is the definition.
(I know that Statesman is a type of politician)

'says the fellow' is the wordplay.
'says' becomes 'states' (state can mean to say or declare).
'the fellow' becomes 'man' (fellow can mean a man).
'states'+'man'='STATESMAN'

'is a' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for statesman that I've seen before include "Experienced politician" , "Distinguished politician" , "Government minister" , "Eminent politician" , "Political leader" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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