Thanks.

It's in quite a high degree (6) one "e"

You get 2 extra diamonds if you also answer:
Noodler is starting an argument (5) one "e"

The noodler 'is Sue'

Day#1 clue: direct on right

It's in quite a high degree (6) one "e"

Day#2 clue: another vowel: i; -e-i--

1. zenith
2. issue

Nope.

But "issue" correct, of course.

I keep coming back to the word "verity" being very containing it, but cannot fully justify the answer: "verily" seems to fit the direct, but I cannot see how we arrive at that answer.

Otherwise I'm stumped!

Oh oh! high degree = very, not verity; I goofed

Got the word from LeCarre's "Single & Single".

Lex, you deserve the 2 extra stars: ===[***WCF***]===

It's a verity that I deserve the noodle for carelessness...

1000 apologies of which you may have one!

it doesn't do any of us any harm to have the brain cells stretched a little extra by the odd goof (aka Denis)!

Actually, you could have used that as a clue in one of those (for me) impossibly intellectual puzzles where clues and/or answers contain deliberate typos.

Reason with star about famous controversy? (5,7) - four es

"cause celebre"? That popped up right away for me;
cause=reason
is star = celebre in UK?

I thought you'd probably get it first as it's a French expression!

Celeb is the star + re (about).

Herewith the accoutrement: ===[**WCF**]===

Ahhh....thanks Lex.

Penalty in 4th race, after false start (4)

fine

false start = f
in
4th race = e
after = placement ind.

Here's a fine belt fer ya: ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you, sir!

Goat said to eat horse feed (4)