CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Training run and jog Ben has in city (12)8 Consultant, regularly paid, avoids worry (7) 9 Somewhat difficult mess engulfing River Police officer (7) 11 Sick notes in disrepute (3,4) 12 Overheard legend resisting wine (7) 13 Guard criminal (5) 14 A second prisoner departs, having stuffed sack and escaped (9) 16 Game’s copyright superseding patent, initially it carries charge (9) 19 First sign of parish notice about priest (5) 21 Sheer material in newspaper attracting unknown journalists essentially (7) 23 Cartoon strip that’s of little worth (7) 24 Chicken given supplements ultimately displays signs of ageing (7) 25 Nothing leads this writer, discontented refusnik, to back foreign government (7) 26 Frugal Norm, simple character confronting debts (12)

DOWN

1 Spear, article Indonesian discards before river rises (7) 2 One kept prisoner for 18 years under army (7) 3 Am insured to cook for nanny (9) 4 Moral belief within Elizabeth I consistently (5) 5 Tortilla dish, whisper love eating it (7) 6 Son leaves showing calm acceptance, having prevailed (7) 7 Good enough outside, it’s a fantastic small plant (12) 10 Occupation accustomed to everyday shocks and sometimes severe cutbacks? (12) 15 Coat perhaps keeps flashing inside leg area (9) 17 Ceremonial emblems Algeria reforms (7) 18 Lintels beginning to go for extortionate prices (7) 19 It’s not designed to cure home with unpleasant smell (7) 20 Makes twice as many shots in snooker? (7) 22 Tea service close to grandma getting knocked over (5)