cabal

cabal
A group or association of political intriguers. In England in the 17th century it was a precursor of the English cabinet , but in modern times the term is applied to any political group which pursues its aims by underhand methods. The word was used somewhat misleadingly of Charles II 's ministers, who did not form a united group, but the initials of whose names, Clifford, Ashley, Buckingham, Arlington, and Lauderdale, happened to spell cabal.