CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. The most important part involves scrambled eggs (7) 5. What mothers do, extracting honey from flower (6) 9. Legion ordered to besiege British base (7) 10. Quiet stream mostly left to dry up (7) 11. Look lazier occasionally (3) 12. He gives daughter away if and when altar’s prepared (6-2-3) 13. Greek character that’s at the mouth of the Nile (5) 14. A voids features of ‘ Strictly’? (9) 16. This lawyer can upset conciliators (9) 17. Long range in Arabian Desert? Yes and no (5) 19. A new college holds housing leases perhaps (11) 22. Pair second to leave Italian cathedral (3) 23. It needs a genius to sort out these old coins (7) 24. Implore child to abandon ballet jump (7) 26. Merkel’s avoiding American benefactors (6) 27. Wave fist during, for example, meet (7)

Down

1. Gang stores equipment for robber (7) 2. In which top brass are chosen? No, politicians (7,8) 3. Decline English books (3) 4. Message, tiny, appearing in Times (5) 5. Hose supporter, American writer, among revolting lefties (9) 6. Dog climbing big rocks to some extent (5) 7. The opposite of having flat feet? That’s cool (15) 8. Circus performers beginning to cavort with short poles (6) 12. Foreign money once smuggled into football club (5) 14. Devil-worshippers corrupt saint in tests (9) 15. Small hacks create difficulties (5) 16. Straight man goes to ground (6) 18. Type extremely likely to impress Hearts before long (7) 20. Ignoring Republican, run through article (5) 21. Some cosmetics upset couples (5) 25. Old king’s expression of disapproval (3)