Unusual respect for a symbol of authority (7)
I believe the answer is:
sceptre
'a symbol of authority' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'unusual respect' is the wordplay.
'unusual' indicates an anagram.
'respect' anagrammed gives 'SCEPTRE'.
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for sceptre that I've seen before include "Queen's staff" , "Staff of regency" , "Monarch's ceremonial staff" , "Royal baton" , "Part of the royal regalia" .)