CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Well-bred bloke takes shelter over (7) 5 State cut back a northern department (6) 9 Force books to appear in Irish due to change (7) 10 Like Berlin not long ago, or Valence after Reformation (7) 11 Normal role is reduced (3) 12 About ten monkeys with gas wrecked breathing aids (6,5) 13 Lie around, taking in constant brilliant display (5) 14 Hot dog prepared with gin — it’s the last word (9) 16 Vehicle overturns with terrible racket here? (9) 17 Bag contract (5) 19 Cook badly overdue

masterpiece (4-7) 22 Dutch sailor’s fish (3) 23 Construction kit can

come unpacked (7) 24 Famous controversial artist at top hospital department (7) 26 Shake off regularly

seasick primate (6) 27 Parliament awfully keen to secure ship, first of two (7)

DOWN

1 Spot good story involving politicians (7) 2 Analyse Nile crustaceans? Study these first perhaps (7,8) 3 Oz runner married in Brussels (3) 4 Dance about with Yankee, looking suspicious (5) 5 Basis of rewarding what UN does, according to reports (9) 6 Sub edited all but last of column (5) 7 NHS resident taking ages to resolve eye problem (4-11) 8 In Paris, I try looking up A-listers (3,3) 12 Group pops up in concert etc occasionally (5) 14 Musical embellishment: eg a C tenor rendered (5,4) 15 Hotel occupies attractive location for bust maybe (5) 16 Stock extremely mature flower arrangement (6) 18 Plant’s natural home somewhat restricted by cover (7) 20 Father hoards stuff

for play (5) 21 Treat this garment atrociously in track event (1-4) 25 That is about clubs

and diamonds (3)