Diversions & Puzzles

Puzzle No 1025 Clues across

1. Add carbon to edible mixture: a sound measure (7) 5. Pal dispersed unruly mob with panache (6) 10. To refuse a drink casts stigma on sailor (7) 11. Lose oar accidentally in spray (7) 12. Retreats left with pomposity (5) 13. Distressed cries came for cool treats (3,6) 14. Head patently mistaken: this form of punishment is now unlawful (5,7) 18. Dummies are on form giving offence (12) 21. A statement of the obvious given as evidence of precipitation (9) 23. Pouched mammal – goodness me – with plenty of space inside (5) 24. Scrap making bargain with bad temper (7) 25. Outlawed being sick with, for example, a Labour leader (7) 26. Altogether untidy maybe? (6) 27. Medico with positive responses unfinished died without a tear being shed (3-4)

Clues down

1. Delay, bad – when holding diamonds, tedious (6) 2. Get money for topping up tibia with calcium (4,2) 3. Cheek shown by one before revealing an undergarment (9) 4. No hotel tonight unfortunately: it’s over the hill (4,2,3,5) 6. Cleaner extracts cash letters from purchaser (5) 7. Ex-student destroyed castle. It was in the way (8) 8. Use belly stupidly as a target (5,3) 9. Decide cosmetic on men is silly before daughter (4,2,4,4) 15. Tune composed before gathering impartially (9) 16. Put behind bars for minor slip, perhaps losing Labour leader (8) 17. Boss, if I editorialised a bit, became very hard (8) 19. A pasty complexion makes money at the end of January (6) 20. Pedalled around and around (6) 22. Store to remove cannabis? (5)