CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Ballsier broadcast targeted by Fox News (8) 5 See 26

9/26 Soldiers’ eviscerated traitor that is thrown to the French at 11Ac 18Dn 7Dn 27Ac (8,6)

10 See 15 Down

11/18/7 Protection operation involving citizen bound to be heard supporting this country (8,5,3,8)

13/26 Tell lie involving assorted cakes at 11Ac 18Dn 7Dn 27Dn (6,6)

14 Eastern borders of historical dispute risk Albanian capital ... (3)

16 ... preserved and secured, holding Northern boundaries (6)

19 Pluck goose and tear up the dance floor (3,4) 20 See 19 Down

21 Suppress even global state (3)

26/5 Widespread free art class in 11Ac 18Dn 7Dn 27Ac (6)

27 Quality front-row forward at end of game converts try (8)

28 Chateau the French prepared with ultimate of taste (6)

29 Triumph for butcher – cooking done after selective slaughter at 11Ac 18Dn 7Dn 27Ac (8)

30 Star eclipsing Venus from east to west, it’s a complex answer (6)

31 Butter went for six in 11Ac 18Dn 7Dn 27Ac (8)

DOWN

1 Pound value dropping, initially unhappy chancellor (6)

2 Mount initial offensive involving Italian leader (6) 3 Allowance made for guillotined speech (6)

4 I call a doctor not authorised to perform rites (6) 6 Sculptor of Pietà content to be left inside, covered over (6-2)

7 See 11 Across

8 What phrenologists did, according to hearsay. To people with loud shocks? (8)

12 Fail to catch hindrance to doctor before operation (3,4) 15/10 Lemon mixture in gum – 11Ac 18Dn 7Dn 27Ac (3,6)

16 Widow Twankey holds back number of fat ladies (3) 17 Breakfast item is traded, we hear, for swimmers’ targets? (3-5)

18 See 11 Across

19/20 Argentine’s gold ransacked in 11Ac 18Dn 7Dn 27Ac (8,6)

22 Toscanini makes a Central America performing tour (6)

23 Simple program tech firm connected to internet finally (6)

24/26 Stewart, perhaps following lead character in book, ties lace carelessly at 11Ac 18Dn 7Dn 27Ac (6,6)

25 Religious book converted many in evacuated hospital (6)