Snide altercation about model (5)

I believe the answer is:

ideal

'model' is the definition.
(ideal can mean model or perfect)

'snide altercation about' is the wordplay.
'about' indicates a hidden word (the clue goes around or about the answer).
'IDEAL' is hidden within 'snide altercation'.

(Other definitions for ideal that I've seen before include "Coal-mining waste" , "Model of excellence (5)." , "Perfect but not likely to become a reality" , "Embodying perfection" , "supreme" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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