The Cryptic

Mungo MacCallum (1941-2020),

The Saturday Paper’s crossword writer, was a political journalist and commentator and the author of several books.

ACROSS

1. It’s about pressure to deal with erratic mob (10)

6. Oriental cardinal ( 4 )

8. The name of the newspaper: M! ( 8 )

9. Concoct a new ingredient for petrol rating ( 6 )

10. Could be a tiger, but proverbially white ( 4 )

11. Popular, stripped to the raw! In trouble (2,3,5)

12. Senior officers, supporters with hidden stash (5,4)

14. Canberra journo played his part ( 5 )

17. Contestant to attempt after two courses ( 5 )

19. Dreams of soft drink that is in the steamer ( 9 )

22. Press for aborted maiden trip (5,5)

23. Newts included in left side ( 4 )

24. D could be one of 12. (3,3)

25. Mercy for traumatic Len and niece ( 8 )

26. Employer of American queen ( 4 )

27. Betting, listen with bosses – they’re ahead! (10)

DOWN

1. It brings buzz to mismanage worker (6,3)

2. Everything return after blossom and bird ( 7 )

3. They say I bring authority to vision ( 8 )

4. Left ashen and depressed, but intensely patriotic (3,5,3,4)

5. Belts hundred hooligans ( 6 )

6. Two cardinals with dreams of the ways in ( 9 )

7. Report of evil prophet, but honest ( 7 )

13. Singer is less fussed over notice ( 9 )

15. Princess’s flowers are catastrophes ( 9 )

16. She works hard for a sieve ( 8 )

18. Gets thinner working back with lines ( 7 )

20. Popular soft drink for Spanish princess ( 7 )

21. Portraits of Indian wizards ( 6 )