CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Arsonist will dismiss the listener-in (7)

5. In position ‘c’, hot and dry, lit out (7)

9. Lying crooked after finding copper in semi-remote setting (9)

10. Guard guarding the Pope is, after the South-west, to go South (5)

11. Bundling up a forgotten Russian in a non-u tag (8) 12. Water-spirit discovers a French way to eat, mainly (6) 14. Murphy, straight out of the oven, is a controversial issue! (3,6) 16. Not as good as an albatross, the high wind buffeting the East! (5)

17. In which overmuch interest is taken by the lender (5) 19. Meaningless oath may vex pet? Lie, anyhow! (9) 21. Seascape lacking sex appeal separately will get away with it (6) 22. Introductions to music short couple manages to dodge (8) 26. Classic works for work that’s sung (5)

27. Thereby topics of a different form may be created (4,5) 28. Tang, perhaps, of soap? (7)

29. Portia’s friend appears like temptress returning (7) DOWN

1. A good degree of realty initially held by duke (5)

2. Narrow electoral result is concerned with nobleman (7)

3. Uni boat race felt by a phrenologist? (5)

4. What government proposes is to give the go-ahead to a journal (5,5)

5. Carry the pari-mutuel (4)

6. At home from the time that the Sappers didn’t mean it (9) 7. At the wheel, is thrustful (7)

8. Just before last night, try and see change made with First Lady (9)

13. Like one of those things Mrs Malaprop thought odorous (10) 14. All those at home Villa may contain (9)

15. Gods, goddesses, runners and jumpers? (9) 18. Pawnbroker given an ending that’s impure (7) 20. In the mind, ice seems to provide the pointers (7)

23. One serving long sentence will almost give up replenishment (5) 24. Opening like a mouth for a cat in South Africa (5)

25. Where business is done it comes between cent and yen initially (4)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION: Across: 1. Detrimental 8. Revivify 9. Grow

10. Brass 13. Race 16. Inch 17. Less 18. Amen 20. Stock 24. List

25. Heritage 26. Poster paint

Down: 2. Envy 3. Raver 4. Muffs 5. Tiger 6. Principally 7. Sweepstakes

11. Amiss 12. Salvo 14. Apex 15. Acre 19. Notes 21. Their 22. China

23. Gain