CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

▶ Across 7. Ambassadors of all nations involved? Simple! (13) 8. Something like whitewash, one of a range of hues (5-6) 12. Sanctimonious groups of airy folk (6) 14. Goes over the straps from a horse’s collar (6) 16. It’s a great thing to spin where the circus is involved (3,3) 18. Changing vests nothing in that, but they do get hot! (6) 19. Happen to see the directors having things pinned on (6-5) 23. Repeatedly it’s like a non-concurrent sentence (4,5,4)

▶ Down 1. It may fall and drop as a flower (4) 2. Put on paint for Ulster (4) 3. Freaks of nature are good types (6) 4. Equip one for an attack in the open (3,3) 5. Ring ahead to hail one out with nothing on (4) 6. Almost close one’s eyes to look at a lord (4) 9. The whole lot, for example, turning gold up briskly (7) 10. Take the lid off a French disguise (7) 11. Questions when kiss is forgotten (4) 12. Drinking-places quietly sub-versive (4) 13. Companionable number takes wages off leaders (3) 15. One put to sea coming up to desert (3) 17. If in lively circumstances, try appeasement (6) 18. Some bruiser bashed up by such weapons (6) 19. Pin down a no-score surrounding (4) 20. Old actor might have taken part in The Oaks … (4) 21. … but so takes part of the Apostles, perhaps (4) 22. Swindle the writer, being rounded on top (4)

▶ Friday's solution Across 1. Proposition 7. Rockets 9. Live 11. Octet 12. Forger 14. Cleanliness 18. Puddle 20. Allow 22. Root 23. Release 24. Territorial Down 2. Recital 3. Sash 4. Owing 5. Brood 6. Beard 8. Entrails 10. Cornwall 13. Old 15. Sultana 16. Spark 17. Sweet 19. Drove 21. Grit