Lovatt's Giant Cryptic

[Ray Nolan]

One who speaks in public on behalf of the government (7)
- - B - T - R
Can only be DEBATER or ARBITER.
Cannot see "speak in public" connection with ARBITER.
Cannot see "on behalf of government" connection with DEBATER.

[Captain2]

Think I'd go with 'debater', but poor clue. I suppose they debate in Parliament but that's the Opposition too.

We could debate this all day but you are the final arbiter on the answer you put down. :))

[Ray Nolan]

Thanks, Captain 2.
It is a poor, unsatisfying clue. I will go with DEBATER. Cheers.

[bobbinwales]

Doesnt feel right to me, are you sure of all them letters??

[Ray Nolan]

Thanks for arbitrating, Captain 2!

[bobbinwales]

wheres your B from please?

[bobbinwales]

Fibster if your talking about some goverment spokespeople!

[bobbinwales]

I was expecting orator to be in there

[bobbinwales]

Webster?

[Captain2]

This clue caused the same debate (pun intended) when last asked in Lovatts in 2012

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Quizzes-and-Puzzles/Crosswords/Question1096630.html

[bobbinwales]

bit of a stretch but...https://www.britannica.com/biography/Daniel-Webster

[Captain2]

Well the mighty bibblebub came down on the side of 'arbiter' but I still prefer 'debater' (if, as bobbin asks, your letters are correct).

[bobbinwales]

thanks for old link captain... neither seems right to me but i cant suggest anything better if letters are right which seems likely as they give them last time

[FleshpotsOfDevon]

I suppose an arbiter would take part in arbitration between two parties, eg during a strike, but that doesn’t take place in public. But then neither is a debate in the Commons public in the true sense of the word…debates sometimes are public though so I’d go with DEBATER.