Crossword Genius

A liberal fibbed in a coalition (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

allied

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'a liberal fibbed in a coalition' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'a liberal fibbed in' is the wordplay.
'liberal' becomes 'l' (abbreviation).
'fibbed' becomes 'lied' (fib can mean to tell a lie).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'l' placed into 'lied' is 'llied'.
'a'+'llied'='ALLIED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for allied that I've seen before include "(Of nations) working together" , "Connected, related" , "Joined in friendship, treaty, etc" , "United through treaty" , "Joined to, combined with" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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