Was keen to criticise Edward (6)

I believe the answer is:

panted

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'was keen' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'criticise edward' is the wordplay.
'criticise' becomes 'pan' (informal term meaning to criticise heavily).
'edward' becomes 'ted' ().
'pan'+'ted'='PANTED'

'to' acts as a link.

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(Other definitions for panted that I've seen before include "Gasped, puffed" , "Breathed heavily as after exercise" , "Breathed heavily after exertion" , "Breathed noisily" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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