CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

6 Fit to drink - or as a snooker ball might be (7) 7 See 18 Down 9 The aim is to write the initials of every new designer (3)

10 Consort with one who’s not a full member (9)

12 See 20 Down

15 “I Hate Men” stop in harem for a change! (11)

17 As principal countries, they are geographically outstanding (9)

19 Task requiring a very patient man (3)

21 Iraqi port from which Arabs come (5)

22 Authorise me to return to governing office (7)

DOWN

1 Fastened up a spring (5) 2 Make a trench the tree won’t grow without it (3) 3 Some of the political assassinations, unfortunately (4) 4 It’s used by observant underseamen (9) 5 Greek philosopher takes on a military unit (7) 8 Wrong route by the right vehicle (6) 11 They’re involved with the strains of cooking (9)

13 A part’s recast as an eastern tyrant (6) 14 Supply a method to withdraw (4,3) 16 Capital beginning of Othello - one of Shakespeare’s leading characters (5)

18 & 7Ac. Pretty stupid girls, we hear, are a feature of the gymnasium (4-5)

20 & 12Ac. Creature that has a crush on its prey (3,11)

SIMPLE CLUES ACROSS

6 Drinkable (7)

7 Cup-shaped instruments (5) 9 Finish (3)

10 Link (9)

12 Type of snake (11) 15 Person who dislikes other people (11) 17 Promontories (9) 19 Task (3)

21 Iraqi port (5) 22 Authorise (7)

DOWN

1 Leap (5) 2 Weaken (3) 3 Exclamation of grief (4) 4 Optical instrument (9) 5 Military unit (7) 8 Large open car (6) 11 Strainers (9) 13 Despotic ruler (6) 14 Collapse (4,3) 16 Shakespearean character (5) 18 Mute (4) 20 Feather scarf (3)