CRYPTIC CLUES:

Across

3. Passes on how the easy

victory is gained (5,4) 8 and 7Dn. N.B. in poor health about the end of June (4,4) 9. Split completely in a distressed way (9) 10. Maybe Andrew Parker could get booked by him! (6) 11. Portrayed a character distractedly in part (5) 14. Bolt together (5) 15. Firmly fixes film scenery (4) 16. So the habitual character needs to be adapted (5) 18. Clothing to boast about (4) 20. For that reason, this comes to the fore! (5) 21. Operates in the market and gives people a hand (5) 24. Side track – not how rail travellers go (6) 25. How one's temperature fluctuates gradually (2,7) 26. Four different points tacked together (4) 27. Dealers need smart arrangement (9)

Down

1. Learning to recognise safe foothold on the mountain (9) 2. Almost begin to embark – that's right (9) 4. A study of port? (4) 5. The same endlessly rich Greek

dialect (5) 6. More than one stone fruit needs

water, we hear (6) 7. See 8 Across 9. Home of the brave (5) 11. What remains when high explosive is planted in a vessel (5) 12. Exploited the natural resources and processed the picture (9) 13. What an up and coming star is in (9) 17. Checks parts of the rigging (5) 19. Many a teacher might wish to carry out an execution! (6) 22. As instruments, they don't ring true, we hear (5) 23. He changes colour, so you must get the doctor round (4) 24. Extract from diatribe describing venerable figure (4)