Cryptic Crossword

Across

1 Shields one working to arrange defence (10)

6 Starting to drive every race, virtually, with some fuel (4)

10 Proceed for a long time in transit (7)

11 One bunter about to face a Roman magistrate (7)

12 A public speaker had an old musical work (8)

13 French writer left inside, in order to move smoothly (5)

15 They leave from being in play, at some stage (6)

17 Run into slave about to disentangle a top striker (8)

19 Can operate in a social gathering (8)

21 A jewel in one group of stars (6)

24 Is about to perform, and respond to a stimulus (5)

25 Exerting the power of choice. That's optional (8)

28 Make things happen (7)

29 Sent it off with a glossy fabric (7)

30 Second tin used to scrutinise things (4)

31 Son means to become a skilled worker (5-5)

Down

1 Play a musical instrument in the tube (4)

2 Keep an eye on a former pupil, say, having to wait at a table (7)

3 Can perform in order to establish by law (5)

4 The others get an alternative, in principle (6)

5 It's wrong to be leaving with an extrovert (8)

7 In the end, it got into rough characters who were knowledgeable (7)

8 Onlooker at second joint as a measure of TV programmes (10)

9 Girls may have elegance, but some are in disrepute (8)

14 Dramatic characters playing at some stage (10)

16 Don't mention it (3,2,3)

18 A few rest up in an English county (8)

20 Falls over on a first run again (7)

22 Creates something new at openings (7)

23 Can have the right time to add flavour (6)

25 Carry leading man as a symbol given undue respect (5)

27 Knock out a small barrel (4)

SATURDAY’S SOLUTION

ACROSS: 1 Ball pen 5 Acrobat 9 Double-cross 10 Auk 11 Assassination 14 Timbre 16 Reaction 18 Pedantic 19 Planet 21 Yorkshire grit 24 Tot 25 Prioritised 26 Portray 27 Larceny. DOWN: 1 Body 2 Laura 3 Pull strings 4 Nicest 5 Agonised 6 Ras 7 Brazilian 8 Taking note 12 Accelerator 13 Step by step 15 Moderator 17 Civility 20 Petrol 22 Taste 23 Eddy 25 Par.