CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 City buildings made of strong frozen cubes

(6,6) 8 It’s unacceptable to be off (3,2) 9 A half-hearted row taking extreme line

concerning watercolour (9) 11 Resident of institution is unlikely to mean it

(6) 12 Regrettable mid-piece outbreak that’s

widespread (8) 14 Palmist will take promise to settle up (4,2,4) 15 One begrudged on your shoulder could be a

hundred on your haunch (4) 18 In France, country foots the bill (4) 19 Uniform orders are melting (10) 21 Shiny coats for those said to be in need (8) 23 Artificial insemination not used in farming

milk cows as causing desiccation (6) 25 At Stock Exchange, moral tale can be

distinguished (9) 26 Makes fuel for fizzy drinks (5) 27 Can’t rely on it happening – no chance! (9,3) DOWN 1 Put work in my direction with attempt at

visual measure (9) 2 Work event (8) 3 Fancy anything planted with 4’s colour (4) 4 Censor risque clip, possibly about English

novice (4,6) 5 Monster takes notice of qualification (1-5) 6 I collect milk in return for rug (5) 7 Explorer Jones meets Glasgow

constabulary in the American Midwest (12) 10 Oriental that is one defending the argument

for Houdini, say (12) 13 Jewish leader to take time out from inducing one to cook wild meat (5,5) 16 Dismissal method for nasty white tick (3,6) 17 Tom’s arch-enemy is able to build fuel storage (5,3) 20 Rutter constructs mounting for gun (6) 22 Police go to earth in wood (5) 24 Genuine alternatives found in free fall (4)