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Brackendale, I agree with you - that's why I thought there was something amiss with the clue.

I am sure the answer is RESPECTABLE but I have not worked out the reasoning. Perhaps someone will read this and tell us why or perhaps there is something amiss with the clue.

respectable is right and i have to admit that i didn't check all the letters; it was so obviously an anagram with a flaw.

Maybe it is an anagram of 'pleb recast' followed by e as in e-fit ? - could be anyway :)

PLEB RECAST in (n)E(w) mould = anag

MOULD is the anagram indicator.

Are you saying IN directs us to empty NEW ??

I reckon it indicates the letter "inside" new.

Well.....it's the only way I could make some sense of it.
:-)

Worth a thought .

There is a new crossword editor at The Times and there have been quite a few mistakes in the last few weeks, from mismatching clues/grids to editors notes being left in to form part of the clue (see 25a from 3/4), so it's highly likely that it's a mistake.