Last Week’s Cryptic

ACROSS

1. A ruler, perhaps, French– Australian in a Gulf State – Plato says it’s what he does with power! (7,2,1,3)

8. Mad to return and wound with a knife (4)

9. Choose to make a speech in the constituency (10)

10. Caucasian and fashionable – and incandescent! (5,3)

11. 51 – 51 courses for flowers (6) 13. C, but top grade (5,5)

16. Drinks sparingly – piss poor! (4)

17. Herb has a lot of money (4)

18. T – only remaining hope! (4,6) 20. No hairdo with the explosive –

set it on fire… (6)

22. …set on fire unfortunate giant

– he goes to court (8)

24. Drama trainer used to take

people places (10)

26. A right turn for the old boat (4) 27. Capsicum with sailor –

a traditional pair! (6,3,4)

DOWN

1. Repairing lighter – but it’s a crime (5,6)

2. Part of the morning range? (5) 3. Uncle a hit turn – but immoral (9)

4. Agamemnon’s daughter to choose a god (7)

5. Overweight Capone – could kill him! (5)

6. Aimless or silly – she goes on about ethics (9)

7. Heavy weight overturned? Negative! (3)

12. Hip regiment devastated – there used to be fireworks! (6,5)

14. Reclining, rising, paying attention (7,2)

15. Removed the contestant – and the irritation! (9)

19. A snack for a Muslim queen (7)

21. Short measure for church

cardinal and compere (5)

23. African nation in Afghan

attack (5)

25. Turn over gratuity (3)

Solution next week