CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Announcing one’s left cake in case (11) 9 Any thug can become disruptive (7) 10 Just beginning northern climb (7) 11 Take place, nearly (3) 12 Head rests, taking tablet or whisky sour initially (7) 13 Battered cases one kept in stern of junk, heaving (7) 14 Extras avoided by bishop? Definitely (3) 15 She once predicted area lost in Libya’s collapse (5) 17 Royal knocked back drink (5) 18 Small hat lecturer brought in to cover this (5) 20 Check out street for romantic meeting (5) 22 Turn the German wine (3) 24 Female leader stupidly supporting Union government (7) 25 Superior London policemen rapidly decrease (7) 26 Self-esteem foregone to some extent (3) 27 Stop operating exit (4,3) 28 1000 large conductors in cells create alarming devices (7) 29 Regulate opposition on raised ground (11)

DOWN

1 Flags in support of ambivalent rules unfairly applied (6,9) 2 Water birds circle a harbour, showing cooperation (7) 3 Idiot captivated by chasm (5) 4 Relative’s colleague a target of criticism (4,5) 5 Put everything under hot stones (7) 6 This plant’s oil can be refreshing, serene and improving (7,8) 7 Irritable, like casual paparazzi? (6) 8 Irish author, one who works in cab (6) 16 Shift bed to left, being unable to drink milk naturally? (6-3) 18 Iron top of tunic in state refuge (6) 19 Rose trained here maybe, hence appearing in short play (7) 21 Chap stands up in shabby suit, giving big wave (7) 23 Can’t stand but does occasionally try (6) 25 In good condition going in for each game (5)