CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Check Unionist party’s protection for old troopers (7) 5. Romeo’s awfully grumpy (6) 9. Man is opening cash machine, showing lack of faith (7) 10. It changes the sound of the ‘sea’ in Curaçao (7) 11. I combine energy with zip (3) 12. Chap with radio is excited, having swallowed this? (11) 13. Wood used in the Battle of the Boyne? (5) 14. London cabbie has it, as do careful rock climbers (9) 16. Element in old Moscow news agency probed spread of opium (9) 17. Local rule by women governing U.S. city (5) 19. Cor! Deny life? Can that be how to respect nature? (11) 22. Look in twice yearly at the centre (3) 23. Employed Old English first (7) 24. Cryptic setter entertains posh person on board (7) 26. Deny food to a Republican wearing torn vest (6) 27. Like Cyclops, old and needy, wild, eating men’s heart (3- 4)

Down

1. Acrobats use it, some somersaulting with ease, say (7) 2. Collective view of somewhere to learn philosophy? (6,2,7) 3. Arm revolutionary during seizure (3) 4. Typical tuba sound, say, lacking a lot of energy (5) 5. Small version of sirocco swirling in mountaintops (9) 6. Arm supporters and order raid on Iraqi capital (5) 7. Poor Lynn feels guilt about day satisfying her 11 (4-11) 8. Clumsy cowboy in SA abandons love for Spain (6) 12. Deep trench destroyed by a ship (5) 14. Critical situation: king’s feeding sick English (5,4) 15. Attempt to influence and entrance (5) 16. Like better publicity to include free broadcast (6) 18. Good time to do some hoeing over 14 Across? (7) 20. 11 climbed into posh car OK (5) 21. The same one on the wagon interrupts function (5) 25. Exploit occurring regularly in Ulster (3)