Spread tales myself about the foreigner (7)

I believe the answer is:

maltese

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'the foreigner' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'spread tales myself about' is the wordplay.
'spread' is an anagram indicator.
'myself' becomes 'me'.
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'tales' anagrammed gives 'altes'.
'altes' put within 'me' is 'MALTESE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for maltese that I've seen before include "sort of cross" , "Pigeon" , "Small silky-haired spaniel" , "Description of cross" , "The -- Falcon, 1941 film" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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