Crossword Genius

Swore Victor was in debt (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

vowed

'swore' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'victor was in debt' is the wordplay.
'victor' becomes 'V' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'was in debt' becomes 'owed' ('they owed' means 'they were in debt').
'v'+'owed'='VOWED'

(Other definitions for vowed that I've seen before include "Solemnly promised" , "Made a promise" , "took the pledge" , "Solemnly pledged" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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