Spiteful gossip (4)
I believe the answer is:
dirt
'spiteful gossip' is the definition.
(dirt can mean gossip or rumour)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for dirt that I've seen before include "Grime - scandal" , "scandalous gossip" , "Scandalous info; earth" , "Obscenity" , "'Mud, dust or grime (4)'" .)