Crossword Genius

Desk and other things turning up in possession of the French navy (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lectern

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

'other things turning up in possession of the french navy' is the wordplay.
'other things' becomes 'etc' (I've seen this in other clues).
'turning up' says the letters should be written backwards.
'in possession of' indicates putting letters inside.
'the french' becomes 'le'.
'navy' becomes 'rn' (abbreviation for Royal Navy).
'etc' backwards is 'cte'.
'le'+'rn'='lern'
'cte' placed within 'lern' is 'LECTERN'.

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for lectern that I've seen before include "From which speaker delivers" , "Speaker's stand" , "item of church furniture" , "Bible stand" , "Reader's stand" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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