CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Doctor in vehicle initially intended cleaning cloth (7) 5. Doctor and theologian probing dossier (6) 9. Own river steamships conserving energy (7) 10. Late deliveries at the Oval correct (7) 11. Prompt Scouser every so often (3) 12. On the way out, fish aroma follows old boy (11) 13. It protects plant in south or north (5) 14. Sort this out, retaining 50 preferred candidates (5,4) 16. Mérimée’s novel about son’s entrance (9) 17. Statesman, one associated with Isle of Wight (5) 19. Golf club asset damaged position of controller (7,4) 22. Trendy name for bar (3) 23. An extremely small amount withdrawn to defend new state (7) 24. Six left, concealing group’s bitter criticism (7) 26. Giggle endlessly sucking teaspoon? Toddlers do it (6) 27. Fool tackles highest note as interim solution (7)

Down

1. Hemimics shy jazz fan gripping piano (7) 2. Full form of degree from journalism school (6,2,7) 3. Port or whiskey (3) 4. Charges son occupying more than one bed (5) 5. Restless infantry spotted at first in Cornish port (9) 6. A lign bandage (5) 7. Palace assistants win Italia design trips (6-2-7) 8. Suspect texts going round European music group (6) 12. On one occasion held head of unusual cat (5) 14. Trim, having one pointy end and the other one blunt? (9) 15. In some parts of the country, say, it isn’t a bad mark (5) 16. French lady in Middle East stopped by first man (6) 18. Like safe mat, new, square, with no edge round it (7) 20. Cancel revolutionary court demand (5) 21. First woman’s nursing a hangover? (5) 25. Couple kept working near the centre (3)