CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: NO. 28, 212

Across

1 Give prisoner commendation (10) 6 Dull poet makes a comeback (4) 9 Tree from Rome raised in the centre? (5) 10 Host’s hair formed into a rounded mass after a twirl (9) 12 Swimming deep, lad prayed (7) 13 Six with place to stay (5) 15 Former lover sat naked (7) 17 Concert – remember having no conclusion about it (7) 19 Working out four and ten – that’s a large sum (7) 21 Notices time, getting hindered by difficult questions (7) 22 Fury when moving Queen’s stove (5) 24 Check before opening (7) 27 Is fish tailless in river? That’s life (9) 28 This writer following article’s message (5) 29 The woman with diamonds to take off (4) 30 Theresa May almost moved to embrace leader of dept, one high up in education (10)

Down

1 Better to catch river fish (4) 2 Weep with sprain, upset and losing one’s rag (9) 3 Rebel pinches new hair colouring (5) 4 Jumped on wild pig and went belly up? Not I! (7) 5 Aerial warning storm’s coming? (7) 7 Soldiers managed to go on skis regularly (5) 8 Dead excited? (10) 11 Plans of French to cover up peccadillos (7) 14 Company’s salesman turning up earlier, first in store (10) 16 Boss sent to dismiss second undergraduate (7) 18 Doctor Matt enters, not coming to a conclusion to give this? (9) 20 Cross when captivated by pen – see high price (7) 21 Power concerned with minister is imaginary (7) 23 Sound emerging from soprano is exquisite (5) 25 Spear carrier starts to tire, resourcefully flipping axe around (5) 26 Indication of sadness right after meal (4)