alan lee’s cryptic crossword no. 456

Across

1 Spread story on cancer, with visible evidence. (4,4,4)

9 Wrap up in bad weather. (7) 10 Gossip is empty routine eventually. (7)

11 Badger has vocal supporters. (5) 12 Messages with murky legal terms left out. (9) 13 Gasped, as in: “shouted out loud”. (7)

15 Diplomatic officers were incomplete and admitted it. (7) 16 Almost made bat hum. Perfect hitter. (7)

19 Cooked muesli around end of July is paradise. (7) 21 Plotted again for skinny one to seize map. (9)

22 Bland food starts unrest at a tropic land. (5)

23 Shake quiet part of cow. (7) 24 No direction seen as story is about awareness. (7) 25 Heed errors. Be better stock raiser. (5,7)

Down

2 Was hot after I heard nonsense. (7)

3 Drink from well at terrible cost. (5)

4 Assisted actor Davis in recent times. (7)

5 Protective piece of bark seen in rising light. (7)

6 Bad. For example: a pal outside the law. (9)

7 Laggardly and loose. (3,4) 8 Rely on crew from financial group. (5,7)

9 Having concern for bigger returns. (4,8)

14 If she sits on your knee, she’s probably cold (9)

17 Burns’ uncommonly built hut is crude. (7)

18 He can play golf but won’t get paid. (7)

19 Consumer to stop manipulator. (3,4)

20 I must begin to verify better. (7) 22 Write and change sides for money. (5)