The phrase "a small clique of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small, exclusive group of people who share common interests or activities, often implying a sense of secrecy or exclusivity.
Example: "The decision was made by a small clique of influential members within the organization."
Alternatives: "a tight-knit group of" or "an exclusive circle of".
"We've had the transfer of power from a small clique of racist Afrikaners," Sexwale says.
At one table at the back was a small clique of young men from Glasgow UniversityÕs Conservative Society.
Soon, however, he was at the center of a small clique of up-and-coming young Times reporters.
Only a small clique of Isis leaders know the extent of Baghdadi's injuries, or where he is being treated.
But since then it has become the popular school for a small clique of Washingtonians: conservative Catholics.
— Lisa A, NYC The typical TA location forum seems to be dominated by a small clique of very opinionated people.
It's more like a small clique consisting of Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Phife.
The regime being all the people, the power bases, the regulations and traditions that have facilitated the exploiting, the degrading of the country's institutions to serve the interests of a small clique against the interests of the nation as a whole.
Nixon followed up on the Pink Sheet with a radio address on September 18, accusing Douglas of being "a member of a small clique which joins the notorious communist party-liner Vito Marcantonio of New York, in voting time after time against measures that are for the security of this country".
And there is not a cutting-edge technology yet invented that is not being sewn up by a frighteningly small clique of Silicon Valley billionaires.
But Brexit isn't the answer, because it would only empower a (different) small clique of oligarchs to bleed the country dry as they're cheered on by a legion of frothing proto-fascists.
