Paper.. The BIG Saturday Crossword

Cryptic clues

Across

1 & 23 Ac. Leopards

aren’t untainted (8) 3. He doesn’t mind his masterpiece getting chipped (8) 8. What has come to mind is almost perfect (4) 9. Criminals do some manipulating in gangs (8) 11. Lasting method of

making a track (9,3) 13. What distressed Romans may be held to (6) 14. Rota modified by an alternative speaker (6) 17. What scrutineers of

votes do? (5-7) 20. Kind of road in which

a trailer is diverted (8) 21. Chrysalis raised in

Pennsylvania (4) 22. Trade was rearranged

in this direction (8) 23. See 1 across (4)

Down

1. Captains holding processed fish in the ship (8) 2. Finish the programme late on account of track event (7) 4. Woodworker who can

handle the joints (6) 5. Cargo handler carrying less weight (10) 6. Got an unexpected arrangement for Pacific location (5) 7. More money from an employer is expected (4) 10. Farm was not rebuilt by one of little substance (3,2,5) 12. The contents of these magazines can be the cause of disturbing reports (8) 15. It’s paid in respect of

a levy (7) 16. Put right rapier in the

wrong position (6) 18. Thinks highly of the

charges (5) 19. Prune a fruit tree, we

hear (4)

Down

1. Predict (8) 2. Cuddle (7) 4. Anew (6) 5. General (10) 6. Grieve (5) 7. Naked (4) 10. Whip (10) 12. Flood (8) 15. Stroke (7) 16. Hard skin (6) 18. Less (5) 19. Hastened (4)