Tend to protect Beth and clan, refuse complete freedom (5,7)
I believe the answer is:
carte blanche
'complete freedom' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for carte blanche that I've seen before include "Complete discretion" , "Complete freedom to act as one wishes" , "free rein" , "Free hand" , "total freedom" .)