CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Large lettuce, one received by host (6)

5 What sounds like woman’s strong colouring substance (8)

9 New home in which Irish look to have inherited item (8) 10 Holy words conveyed by woman traditionally (6)

11 Maid once tortured as one deemed devil-possessed (8) 12 One skilled at the lathe or the canvas? (6)

13 Cut off from established site for shooting practice (8)

15 You and I having quiet time expressed sorrow (4) 17 Darling gets left in shower (4) 19 Black Prince of yesteryear more intelligent (8)

20 After setback the fellow had to keep moggy separate (6) 21 More lustrous nobleman gets external support (8)

22 Badly behaved youngster — Robin, that is? (6)

23 Disorder great by port — police may need this? (4,4) Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved 24 You’d once set about embracing Guildhall figure, making emotional appeal (8)

25 Team the French put into short race? (6)

DOWN

2 Food with which old character inadequately entertains yours truly (8)

3 Monkey has brief time in flowing stream (8)

4 Singer in church getting nothing right, nun losing head (9) 5 Mad Tory practice upsetting group of US politicians? (10,5) 6 Reputation of old city within country (7) 7 Sort out university book collection corner (8) 8 Sweet and holy father given a monetary allowance (8) 14 Be independent and surprisingly genial too (2,2,5) 15 Court has 500 got rid of — something nasty in this place? (8) 16 Unconvincing kind — Liberal engaged in that political programme (8) 17 Professional record with upperclass English in introduction (8) 18 Imprisoned by doctor, beaten foes become humiliated (4,4) 19 Support very hot — Conservative gets in (7)