DOUBLE CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES Across

1. Was not sitting, but was a candidate (5) 4. The escapades of abrasive people? (7) 8. Not diplomatic – military then? (7) 9. These are not genuine fleas (5) 10. Venture into sordid areas (4) 11. Besides, there is a bigger surplus (8) 13. Recent, but not on the dot (4) 14. Deserters return to top the bill (4) 16. Enormous caper on horsedrawn vehicle (8) 17. Current wild animal returned (4) 20. Addition of complex trade figures (5) 21. The crowd grow old, as he is held to ransom (7) 22. Strings of invective about sea dirt (7) 23. Live like a dunderhead – successfully (5)

Down

1. Sensible decisionmaking based on noise estimation? (5,8) 2. Happen to be dog led by officer commanding (5) 3. Take the plunge in a drinking den (4) 4. Rarely models (6) 5. Thinks mirrored thoughts? (8) 6. Friend may assert it’s a long conference (7) 7. Turner on the road (8,5) 12. Not an out-of-the-way flag (8) 13. Boat the smoker might miss? (7) 15. Sees spectacles (6) 18. Foliage cut short – don’t touch it (5) 19. Dues are not new (4)

QUICK CLUES Across

1. Urchin (5) 4. Fighting vessel (7) 8. Dictionary (7) 9. Keen (5) 10. Whirlpool (4) 11. Explode (8) 13. Portal (4) 14. Discover (4) 16. Former French president (2,6) 17. Stylish (4) 20. Angry (5) 21. Unaffected (7) 22. Vastly (7) 23. Object (5)

Down

1. 50th marriage anniversary (6,7) 2. Blended (5) 3. Cut (4) 4. Ramble (6) 5. Oratory (8) 6. Wild-looking (7) 7. Upright (13) 12. Memorial (8) 13. Debase (7) 15. In abundance (6) 18. Seraglio (5) 19. Boss (4)