CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Lair or holt constructed in tree

trunk (4, 4) 5 Trapped pet outside? That’s

terrible! (6) 9 Officer annoyed about swanky

hair stylist (8) 10 Gather pupil’s worried about

English (4, 2) 12 Farm produce and goods

imported into El Salvador (4) 13 Issue notice to member of

government (10) 15 Crane fly munches dog-ends

gladly (5-8) 19 Sort of Corsican peke leads

large entry at Crufts (6,7) 23 I’m taking minutes working

at a clue that’s flawless (10) 25 Feeble couple of notes (4) 28 Handsome young man, said

to be drunk, carrying on (6) 29 Soldiers visit country to make investigative programme (8) 30 Free former politician in

Egypt (6) 31 Coach arranged scenery (5, 3)

DOWN

1 Angel cake cooked in Britain

(6) 2 Telling stories in bed? (5) 3 Crime doesn’t begin in lift (4) 4 French articles, regularly dirty,

sent here? (7) 6 Albion not performing? Recruit international defence (5) 7 Large swimmer gets ultimate

stamp of approval (5, 4) 8 Big wheels made of best alloy

(3, 5) 11 Old queen was lazy apparently (4) 14 C hanged gear, gaining slight

advantage (4) 15 Break down and get rid of

committee bores (9) 16 Pass drink (3) 17 Spirit consumed in gruelling

ritual (4) 18 Start later part of play at end

of June (8) 20 Small ducks cross lake unaccompanied (4) 21 Draw a leaflet for the Listener

(7) 22 Exit record breaking race (6) 24 Distant cousin, male, tucked

into cold fruit (5) 26 A service for 10 (5) 27 One departs, leaving medal

(4)