Take action having ignited current scandal (8)
I believe the answer is:
litigate
'take action' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'ignited current scandal' is the wordplay.
'ignited' becomes 'lit' (synonyms).
'current' becomes 'I' (physics symbol).
'scandal' becomes 'gate' (as in Watergate and other formations).
'lit'+'i'+'gate'='LITIGATE'
'having' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for litigate that I've seen before include "Contest at law" , "Sue" , "Go to law" , "Engage in legal proceedings" , "take action" .)