CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Short game John played in China? (7)

5 Initially formal, stiff and unresponsive (6)

9 Snack of roasted waterbird, excluding wings (7)

10 Roundabout’s old and desolate, by the sound of it (7)

11 Man with chisel (3)

12 Transmitter attached to English volunteer’s dog (4,7)

13 Hot issue includes recipe for grub (5)

14 Night-light’s low at 9 – Mum comes in (9)

16 Notice Henry in memo fiercely reviling person directly (2,7)

17 Observing, not missing decoration in bakery (5)

19 Great writer’s set place at the front (11)

22 Deer’s partially speckled back (3)

23 Hunch in clearing, giving instruction (7)

24 Match business manager initially with lord (7)

26 Posh look proclaimed in African country (6)

27 Picture puzzles to do with public transport (7)

DOWN

1 Top serviceman spoils Prince Harry (7)

2 Poor Gershwin danced round joint, adoring stars (4-11)

3 Globe circumnavigated by razorbills (3)

4 Manage guest’s boys at regular intervals (3,2)

5 Lounge in best seats without women or men at first (5,4)

6 Layabout Mike abandons Bette (5)

7 Old papal court’s cut on jailing seven in trouble for prying (15)

8 Order’s Eastern beliefs back on top (6)

12 Sudden tremor undermines northbound motorway (5)

14 Extinct bird absorbs northern Arab – it’s an obsession (9)

15 Pork suppliers triumph in Home Counties (5)

16 Property agreements lack name (6)

18 Authorise a run in fast cars, such small ones? (2-5)

20 Check over government rule (5)

21 Come about old mongrel guarding college (5)

25 Principally members of brotherhood (3)