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17a: He requests appeal, one about to break safe (10) The answer is PETITIONER but I cannot full parse it. Peter is a safebreaker, but I can't fathom out the ITION. Anyone help?

it one in peter - a safe rather than a safebreaker, who would be a peterman

Thanks for your prompt response chrise. Maybe I'm being very dense, but removing PETER leaves one with ITION, not ITONE. Nowhere in the clue is there an indication of IT. Can you clarify for me?

"it" is (sex) appeal - only found in crosswords. You're right, though - that leaves ION rather than ONE!

I'm glad you are as puzzled by this, chrise, as I am. I've said it before, but a "clue" is supposed to be an aid to finding the answer, not an insoluble puzzle work out after you've entered the answer.

Could "one" about be "No 1", with "it" for appeal?

Isn't it...
One - I
About - On?

I think that's better than my effort, Chips!

Glad to be involving so many puzzled puzzlers in my problem!