Cryptic crossword clue
Top quality speaker’s self-reproach was slow to shift 4-5

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word GILT-EDGED

I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
G
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Top quality" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case top quality = gilt-edged.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does GILT-EDGED mean?

GILT-EDGED adjective
  1. (of pages of a book etc) Having gilded edges.
  2. (of securities) Issued by the Bank of England.
  3. Of the highest quality.

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