the crosswords

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Influence of one politician on some legislation (6) 4 Gipsy cheerfully shows spirit (6) 9 After false alarm one receives a complaint (7) 10 Spring often underground (5) 11 She will get a financial advantage in return (5) 12 Independent air of Ned’s cat perhaps (7) 13 Unable to span the production schedule? (5-6) 18 He’s much smarter than his mate (7) 20 Comparatively thin conflict about iron (5) 22 After seeing doctor I have reduced energy (5) 23 Notice to keep out nothing in the accounts (2,5) 24 Ridiculed for being poorly dressed (6) 25 She’d follow me and get caught (6)

DOWN

1 The occupant is at home with his wife (6) 2 Foreigners you may seek at the ends of the earth (5) 3 We hear a vulgar song from this pirate (7) 5 Avoids spending reserves (5) 6 Fight to save a battered used car (7) 7 Eastern country that one may willingly leave (6) 8 A welcome sign of advancing senility (11) 14 He has a fish for curing (7) 15 Just come in unplaced (7) 16 It makes a very fine trap (6) 17 Chap in bed sounded asinine (6) 19 Flower having a neat look (5) 21 Get to make an impression on the first of February (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Snub (6) 4 Strike repeatedly (6) 9 Capital of Indonesia (7) 10 Second planet from the sun (5) 11 About (in dates) (5) 12 Author of The Lord of the Rings (7) 13 Protection (11) 18 In a brisk tempo (7) 20 Lowest point (5) 22 Natural talent (5) 23 Statement of being sorry (7) 24 Privilege of admission (6) 25 Agreement (6)

DOWN

1 Refuse to believe in (6) 2 Maker of bread (5) 3 To abandon (7) 5 Blacksmith’s block (5) 6 Refer to briefly (7) 7 Insurrection (6) 8 Fierce fight (6,5) 14 Not less than (2,5) 15 Define precisely (3,4) 16 A form of lottery (6) 17 Coloured pencil (6) 19 Eat greedily (5) 21 Waste matter (5)