CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

▶ Across

1. Are MEPs in to creating jobs for the boys? (8)

7. Child who makes nuisance of himself loses head by mistake (5)

8. Some are with aquatic mammal, very curtailed inside it (7)

9. Girls help in being carried by people south (7)

10. Shoulder joint perhaps Charles or Mary wrote (4)

12. Require the French to get sulphur for hypodermics (7)

14. In South Carolina a bronzing has one entry that's devilish (7)

17. After ready, steady, soundly do so for pudding (4)

18. Such a warm overcoat for the Lions! (7)

21. Greek god takes one on, causing loss by eating (7)

22. Leather bind the one go finishes off (5) 23. Rat starts to escape, thereafter squashed by donkey (8)

▶ Down

1. Get comfy one topless, lest change is needed (6)

2. Father is vehement he lost the place for a pedestrian (8)

3. Ripped off, as one was in such a hurry (4)

4. Charity hand-out with no arrangement as to fish (6)

5. Let one go gratis (4)

6. Tick is repeatedly given at a crucial time (6)

7. In the event I had to be short, as is apparent (7)

11. Engine oscillating in speed when in the pink? (7)

13. Surprisingly, icy atoll in the vicinity (8) 14. Boasts a new style in footwear (6) 15. Be consistent with the firm where I'm standing (6)

16. Gain monopoly with man looking into death who loses heart (6)

19. It follows Santa as an abbreviated form of this element (4)

20. Party has alternative way to get in (4)