CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: NO. 28,918

Across

7 British, in a spot, don’t vote (7) 9 The acre? Wrong: you need a bigger measure of land (7) 10 Keen to press old skirt (5) 11 Conductor of opera, name in Italy (9)

12 Punishment given after assault: article by school principal became prominent in the news (3,3,9)

13 Personal assistant brought in important item of stationery (7)

16 Nobleman’s wife expected short game (7)

19 Foremost of Spaniards during Iraq tour, dining out – Torquemada, perhaps (5,10)

23 Sweetheart gets upset about ending in adventure novel (4,5) 24 Permission to depart (5) 25 Draw large aquatic mammal close to quay (7)

26 Remove another carat (7)

Down

1 Race the old lady runs with floppy hat on (8)

2 Difficulty encountered in powerful vessel (8)

3 Grab small part (6) 4 Untidy writing produced by son on edge (6)

5 Good-natured tolerance of coppers going round at one (8)

6 Careless, extremely rude young lady (6) 8 Tobacco tin open (5) 9 Partner, hot on American group (7)

14 Still coming over to cover separate social event (3,5)

15 Republican vacating flat, and unpleasant house (7)

17 Choose randomly from play’s actors on a great deal (4,4)

18 Italian resort, resort on high (8)

19 Chatter from Hollywood star about principal character in Betrayed (6)

20 Determined old magistrate imprisoning leader of gang, and daughter (6)

21 Not fairly matched in fun event (6)

22 Headdress, first-class, shown in painting put up (5)