The controversial issue of The Duke of York presumably feeling the heat? (3,6)

I believe the answer is:

hot potato

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'the controversial issue' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for hot potato that I've seen before include "Troublesome thing (in a jacket?)" , "Awkward matter" , "Burning issue" , "controversy" , "Spot" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and the Irish Times.

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