CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 8 Predict role left for recasting (8) 9 Old fellow arresting detective?

Very likely! (4,2) 10 School missing first of teachers

for long time (3) 11 Cook’s ultimate advantage

concerning English rice dish (8) 12 Book that can be adjusted on

radio? (6) 13 Bins, bollards and benches for

urban loungers? (6,9) 15 Host politician close to office in

centre (7) 18 Writer with sex appeal in confines of rich Cumbrian town (7) 21 Mid-year calamity disrupted

Sandhurst, say (8,7) 24 Some secret inadequacy found in sensitive element in a viewer (6) 25 I moan terribly about female American of bad repute (8) 26 Manage function (3) 27 Hazy, a bit, in pronouncing

Chinese cuisine (3,3) 28 My saintly character? (8)

DOWN 1 Importance of mount

holding sign (6) 2 Measurement no longer used in competitive division (6) 3 Volunteers summed up

with word of thanks (11,4) 4 Joyous sensation arising

in much of bay (7) 5 Assemble round unusually nice chef ’s business for ready-made grub (11,4) 6 Wedding vow delayed

for one besotted? (8) 7 Private try-out on a regular basis? Nonsense (8) 14 Strike sheep (3) 16 Loves hosting in the flesh with the Italian part of Mediterranean diet (5,3) 17 Most dear minister touring centre of Nice (8) 19 Something to put in drink or decorate a cake? (3) 20 Medical accessory in grey’s redesigned (7) 22 Require partner for supply? (6) 23 Uses bananas with instant dessert (6)