Crossword Genius

Staggered by socialist accepting slippery individual (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

reeled

'staggered' is the definition.
('reel' can be a synonym of 'stagger')

'socialist accepting slippery individual' is the wordplay.
'socialist' becomes 'red' (red is a kind of socialist).
'accepting' is an insertion indicator.
'slippery individual' becomes 'eel' (**).
'red' going around 'eel' is 'REELED'.

'by' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for reeled that I've seen before include "Staggered about in lively dance?" , "Staggered around as if drunk" , "Staggered or tottered" , "Lurched" , "Felt giddy, staggered" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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