THE CRYPTIC:

ACROSS

1. Tainted dope is returned by a conservative in the storeroom (10) 6. Laugh – Swedish pop group on a pilgrimage (4) 9. Hopelessly lost in past, they believe only ideas are real (10) 10. Shorten’s account (4) 12. Buyouts? Me? You’re off your rocker! (3,4,2,5) 14. Emerge with a soft fruit (6) 15. A throne I overthrow – like Macbeth, for one (8) 17. Lab units damaged in the capital (8) 19. A flirt, but unworried (2,4) 22. Noon entry? You’ll suffer. Out of the question (3,2,4,5) 24. Big unit, but isolated (4) 25. Ethnic division with a series of studies at Randwick, perhaps (10) 26. Why, you say, compere a youth organisation? (1,1,1,1) 27. Gamble and give up territory to an ancestor (10)

DOWN

1. Idiot drug (4) 2. Look at the crap, said Spooner, pointing out the thickness of the fog (3,4) 3. Bad weather ahead – wan grin! (5,7) 4. A need for drink – Thursday replaced Friday as the priority! (6) 5. Tumbled earth around French – good for Basil! (8) 7. A new, single friend – and lively (7) 8. Happy Federer – the pirate’s standard (5,5) 11. Surprisingly ethical one – he has a hidden advantage (3,2,3,4) 13. Logically, offer a share to a colleague (10) 16. A problem for Noah, but a motorway provides the answer (8) 18. A bird for Cain – flighty, but huge (7) 20. Thanks, return foaming lager – free! (2,5) 21. Country musical audience (6) 23. Stake over new grass (4)

Solution next week