Consequences of following a large thug (7)
I believe the answer is:
fallout
'consequences' is the definition.
(I have seen 'unpleasant consequences' mean 'fallout' so perhaps 'consequences' could also mean 'fallout')
'following a large thug' is the wordplay.
'following' becomes 'f' (used when citing page numbers etc).
'large' becomes 'L' (eg in clothes sizes).
'thug' becomes 'lout'.
'f'+'a'+'l'+'lout'='FALLOUT'
'of' is the link.
(Other definitions for fallout that I've seen before include "Adverse aftermath" , "Parade ground order" , "Aftermath of explosion - quarrel" , "Military order to leave formation" , "By-product" .)