1 down
One
hard
man,
he
was
involved
with
Ezra
initially
(8)
One hard man, he was involved with Ezra initially (8)
hints
0
checks
0
hints
The whole clue is the definition (& lit or double definition).
How the clue works
The whole clue works as an &lit — it defines Nehemiah, the biblical figure who worked alongside Ezra, and simultaneously provides the wordplay. Take I (one), H (hard), MAN, HE, and E (the initial letter of Ezra), then "involved" signals you jumble the lot together to get your answer.