CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Deformed spine has affected male first of all (9) 6. Prince knocks back drink with expresion of relief (5) 9. Troubled city sure needs sound advice from UN body (8,7) 10. Frenchman or woman going topless (4) 11. Pretty good in Paris and New York (5) 12. Roman historian left climber (4) 15. Taking the point, swears dreadfully in reply (7) 16. Extremely lonely without the French pair, we hear (4,3) 17. Caught pop group, say, returning from Savoy? (7) 19. Not on mountain out of season (7) 20. Girl is not entirely American national (4) 21. Accept promotion and make a choice (5) 22. Very hard to keep us quiet! (4) 26. Escort’s decoration could be good for stripteases anyhow (2-6,7) 27. Lily’s sports car (5) 28. Lively and pleasant-looking promotion included (9)

DOWN

1. Suffering not unknown by mean fellow (5) 2. Well, you shouldn’t get this money (8,7) 3. A goddess – Rhea possibly (4) 4. I upset old drunk, arousing compassion (7) 5. Criminal turns up with nothing? That’s not possible (2,3,2) 6. Heartless scoundrel or libertine (4) 7. It would be a bloomer to give up preaching? (4-2-3-6) 8. One plant or another associated with wine (9) 13. Write a novel ultimately about punishment (5) 14. A top room that’s high up (5) 15. Support financial backer in Russian port (9) 18. It’s boring without a goal (7) 19. One who is against work with show-off (7) 23. Dog is hoarse (5) 24. River goddess (4) 25. It’s the old Navy spirit (4)