CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Leverage needed for acquisition (8)

5 Old fool importing European wildcat (6)

9 Fine points supplied by French city with connections (8) 10 Move to employ international flyer (6)

12 One in my reserves is a very rich person (9)

13 Perennial list must include fuel regularly (5) 14 Sweetener found in cake and sugar, essentially (4) 16 Stops son being adopted by believers (7)

19 Tension caused by troubled coward crossing line (4,3) 21 Supporters mostly go without food around November (4) 24 Geordie mate’s state? (5) 25 Spinning fine yarn that’s beyond words (9)

27 Spoil broadcast by Independent politician (6)

28 People in charge at sea must get butterflies (8)

29 Refuse to drop British music such as this (6)

30 Stress caused by cooking pies and mash (8)

DOWN

1 Both parents must cover North American state (6)

2 Sport needing a hundred in syndicate (6)

3 Sacred time’s filled with passion (5) 4 Situation report supporting the girl (7)

6 A woman who’s unusually sure – no act! (9)

7 License to lift fodder stored in empty locale (8) 8 Intrusion that sees new stars possessing sixth sense (8)

11 Some famous editors took drugs (4)

15 Reluctant and regretting going topless, full of new resolve (9) 17 Becoming aware of exhibition centre turning up in swindle (8) 18 Leaflet written about baby food that’s sticky and attracts insects (8) 20 Heartlessly quick strike (4) 21 Licence charge about right with party millions (7)

22 Snake taken initially on board American vessels (1-5) 23 Becomes relaxed under student charters (6) 26 Footballers must have it on hospital trust (5)