CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 A bit like this leading Tory … (7) 5 … demanding information during leave (7) 9 Extremist cults pray, having lost all protection (5)

10 One minute – case of doctor being in a hurry (9)

11 Food offered by divorcing hotheads? (5,5) 12 Regularly play free instrument (4) 14 Free advice lands a source of riches (8,4)

18 Party approaches must protect important fringes of society for ages (7,5)

21 A military force retreating at a distance (4) 22 Staggering time taken by a measurement of depth (10) 25 Customers may see legal right in court with team cut by half (9)

26 Actor surplus to requirements (5)

27 Means of attack editor backed (7) 28 Represents performances that are cancelled? (4,3)

DOWN

1 Players ultimately plump for Australian beer (6)

2 At university, accept one may be quick on this (6)

3 New headline seen in cold Republican light (10)

4 Part of church accepting one is innocent (5) 5 Thoughtful after former partner is costing too much (9) 6 Keen on dope, with time for France (4)

7 The average person from Spain – exceedingly male! (8) 8 Section of quartet here dutifully tied to the spot (8)

13 A series on hospital department will be caustic (10)

15 Stress aid designed for accidents (9)

16 Made progress with cash up front on date (8)

17 A forced entry may be in vain, so planned (8) 19 Restaurant in pub is trouble (6)

20 Shocked seeing husband in range shot heartlessly (6) 23 Ring exercises – oddly real drama (5)

24 One might bite in indignation (4)