Legal, but shifty in politics (5)
I believe the answer is:
licit
'legal' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for licit that I've seen before include "Honest" , "Legitimate" , "Lawful, permitted" , "Allowable" , "Allowed as by law, not forbidden" .)