CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Drunk waddled and dilly-dallied (7) 5. Make white and black drain (6) 9. Food gets very dry in port (7) 10. Leave enclosed parasites on the outside (7) 11. Fighter covered by National Insurance (3) 12. There’s ample ground next to mortar for gun site (11) 13. Hard to undo 50 per cent of hose? (5) 14. The work of a lifetime (9) 16. Initially close friend intercepts loot, the rogue (9) 17. Hot rock protects rare grub (5) 19. C hap with radio is aroused, having devoured this? (11) 22. Reader’s coming over, OK? (3) 23. Anonymous fellow somersaults in nude, shivering (7) 24. Put on entertainment for each class in school (7) 26. Avoid start of exciting scene getting cut (6) 27. Serious crime’s revealed when he deserts the cause (7)

Down

1. Be asleep in stronghold, or man the barricades (7) 2. Cleaners which singe a man’s pants? (7, 8) 3. Character in the Bible left most of it (3) 4. Flag Day - meagre returns (5) 5. No dance coming up in large Oz watering hole (9) 6. Someone who hosts many comics at the start, say (5) 7. Play Open on same court during same period (15) 8. Discounting business with conviction and with care (6) 12. Rave about reduction in former road levy (5) 14. It gives good views of child’s dog biting trendy duke (3,6) 15. Catholic priest brought in historic object (5) 16. Rank sculptures abandoned by European (6) 18. Awfully bad sign in tummy (7) 20. Sound of tuba, say, lacking a lot of energy (5) 21. Contribution from Russian leader, swapping parts (5) 25. Eggs brooded regularly (3)