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Deadly force on a former PM initially (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fatal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'deadly force' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'on a former pm initially' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'on' could be 'at' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'at' is found within the answer.
'a' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fatal that I've seen before include "Unavoidable" , "Disastrous, maybe lethal" , "Causing death, say accident" , "very bad for health!" , "Deadly force" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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