Slander because individual takes Independent (9)
I believe the answer is:
aspersion
'slander' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'because individual takes independent' is the wordplay.
'because' becomes 'as' (I've seen this in other clues).
'individual' becomes 'person' (synonyms).
'takes' is an insertion indicator.
'independent' becomes 'i'.
'person' placed around 'i' is 'persion'.
'as'+'persion'='ASPERSION'
(Other definitions for aspersion that I've seen before include "No praises given to the act of defaming 99)" , "reflection" , "No praises (anag) - disparaging remark" , "Cast this slur" , "Malicious remark" .)