Crossword Genius

Declare a vicar has turned up (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aver

'declare' is the definition.
(averring is a kind of declaring)

'a vicar has turned up' is the wordplay.
'vicar' becomes 'rev'.
'has turned up' is a reversal indicator.
'rev' in reverse letter order is 'ver'.
'a'+'ver'='AVER'

(Other definitions for aver that I've seen before include "Assert, state as true" , "Formally assert" , "State firmly and positively" , "State; say" , "State firmly - don't rave" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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