CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

7 Escort needed to head off a drug-dealer (5) 8 It’s the correct way to follow a military command (5,4) 10 Paint over a finish caused by constant handling (6) 11 Team turn out at last, but not on the main stage (4-4) 12 Measured out a way to have put things beyond doubt (4,4) 13 To want to get the first word is hard (4) 15 Take a chance, at short notice, to leave one of 18 down (7) 17 A day on line could well be unfavourable (7) 20 There are more than enough items for sale at auction (4) 22 Prove management had help to gain excessive wages (8) 25 Make progress to appoint a principal (3,5) 26 Hit hard with a new buzz word (6) 27 Is about to supply drinks to members of the press (9) 28 On the way, always able to be in the driver’s seat (5)

DOWN

1 Lets a case be developed. It mounts up (9) 2 Did a diplomat stay with new model? (8) 3 A clergyman lost one from inside a cathedral church (7) 4 It clouded over, but still followed every movement (8) 5 Sits out a second period of inactivity (6) 6 Unsatisfactory time for returning group of soldiers (5) 9 To turn a cricketer over must be forbidden (4) 14 Sized up one man in a housing scheme. It took one day (9) 16 Press, etc, turned out to have gained commendations (8) 18 Uses great feats to advance society (8) 19 Original agent left paying guests on the margins (7) 21 A public speaker had two alternatives over a short time (6) 23 Apart from Chelsea, its quite different (4) 24 Is about to live long, but may have to take to the streets (5)