CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: NO. 28,400

Across

8 Hint: this could be left in potter’s equipment (4) 9 Various establishments bottling milk (3) 10 Volunteer army retreats, or appears before and after Churchill, say (6) 11 Guide offering massage with first of rises in charge (6) 12 Spend horrible time in warm climes mostly (5,3) 13 Prisoner held amid best threat he devised for prevailing authority (3,6,4,2) 15 Powerful businessman, a great knight, entertained by partner (7) 17 Idiot, mature, going round university in temper (7) 20 Intern or handler disorientated in part of the UK (8,7) 23 I’ll go by ship to make speedy delivery of comic? (3-5) 25 Pick house in Greek island close to shore (6) 26 Reportedly preserve French resort (6) 27 Regular portions of plaice or pork pie (3) 28 College with celebrity backing (4)

Down

1 Detective in criminal hustle (6) 2 Aquatic animal keeps quiet in habitat (8) 3 Ready source of evidence about Edward showing mental agility (5-10) 4 Fool perhaps taking sun in arid environment (7) 5 In need of very top dancing hit (7-8) 6 Plant laid curiously around a hotel (6) 7 Asian food is served in front of union (4) 14 Chatter over person’s particular interest (3) 16 Fuss in a social function (3) 18 Tortured soul none set free (8) 19 Cricket side topping a list having continued success (2,1,4) 21 Skill shown in continental enterprise (6) 22 Pained expression after food, restaurateur’s nightmare? (2-4) 24 Clean without water (4)