CRYPTIC crossword

ACROSS

1 I sign on diet in order to cure this? (11)

9 Sailor loves to get drunk, free from responsibility (7)

10 Circle racing ground that’s cultivated naturally (7)

11 Bill goes back to play at Old Trafford (3)

12 Obtain radio with back missing (7)

13 Keep your eyes peeled for crow’s nest (7)

14 Conflict with a Republican (3)

15 Except for its fringes, island has German patois (5)

17 Trivial and somewhat lacking resistance (5)

18 Top of steak pie cooked a dark brown colour (5)

20 Suppressed note during defamatory allegations (5)

22 Setter’s beginning to pet monkey (3)

24 Kept watch over parasites in case (7)

25 German chap holds dog back, creating inhibitions (4-3)

26 Roman historian left out climber (3)

27 General finished a couple of lines (7)

28 Peer given medal and place to hang it? (7)

29 Mayor let rip furiously for a moment (11)

DOWN

1 Spread pellets in centre? That should deter bugs (6,9)

2 Germany, supported by its partners, wastes time (7)

3 Seabird pops up among icebergs (5)

4 Minor boxing trophy that follows performer on stage (9)

5 Those with shared interests pour gin out (2-5)

6 Briton worked in country on complex type of pension scheme (15)

7 It helps to transport soil for burial mound (6)

8 Absent-minded moggie trapped in pen (6)

16 SA animal’s nasty aroma masking herb (9)

18 Ship at sea about to convey liquid to another vessel (6)

19 Applaud current request for compensation (7)

21 Old money’s potentially incinerated, except cent (7)

23 Notice someone blogging (6)

25 Wild animal, long, seen in middle of Sahara (5)