Volatile situation in Brixton unfolding, journalist recalled (9)
I believe the answer is:
tinderbox
'volatile situation' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'in brixton unfolding journalist recalled' is the wordplay.
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'unfolding' is an anagram indicator (untangle or unfold the original letter order).
'journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'recalled' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (to recall can mean to bring something back).
'ed' written backwards gives 'de'.
'brixton' anagrammed gives 'tinrbox'.
'tinrbox' going around 'de' is 'TINDERBOX'.
(Other definitions for tinderbox that I've seen before include "explosive type?" , "Volatile situation" , "Old lighter" , "Situation that is a potential source of violence" , "Old container for fire-lighting equipment" .)