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Support friend grabbing editor to issue retractions? (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

back-pedal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'to issue retractions?' is the definition.

'support friend' is the wordplay.
'support' becomes 'back' (back is a kind of support).
'friend' becomes 'pedal' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'back'+'pedal'='BACK-PEDAL'

'grabbing editor' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for back-pedal that I've seen before include "Reverse decision or commitment - while on bike?" , "Try to reverse decision - while on bicycle?" , "Reverse attitude - on bicycle?" , "Modify one's opinion" , "Reverse previous decision - while cycling?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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