CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Putting money first, directors

make cuts here? (10) 6 Censor’s given good report (4) 9 Drink the setter

knocked over Pole? (5) 10 Men overwhelmed by silent

support back in garden (9) 12 Playful language? Move

slowly, that’s scary! (6-2-5) 14 Insubstantial odds

upset cartel (8) 15 Paper good at absorbing

blows? (6) 17 Make attractive finale

withorgan(6) 19 Ponder alcohol in stewed tea (8) 21 Number-crunchers assist

Titanic at sea (13) 24 Cook nine basil plants (9) 25 Occasionally indulge then

run briefly — lazybones (5) 26 Stop ignoring cold comfort (4) 27 Chaos destroyed Greens —

they might let one know! (10)

DOWN

1 City in need of a plug? (4) 2 Permit lent it legitimacy

in part (7) 3 Protest fiend with resistance occupying Waterloo maybe (13) 4 Predicting vampire hasn’t died, or will come round (8) 5 Religious leader

giving short talk (5) 7 Player in area leaves — about

time!(7) 8 Plucky player, one thwarting poacher’s goals? (10) 11 Main criterion changes — there’ll be a reprisal (13) 13 Apparent teen slob is working (10) 16 Rejects revealed fisherman’s actions (8) 18 Storage for artists (7) 20 Forgive a bishop on crack (7) 22 Rag supports broadcast (5) 23 If these are taken, it means war (4)