CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Foppish type’s invitation to bird to call? (8)

9. Military preparation of Frenchman the last word in craft (8) 10. Cancel changes in South Vietnamese festival (4)

11. Humiliate MP with a spiced-up union song (12)

13. Anecdotes assuming Scottish smoker an old-school sort (6) 14. An officer before journey finds close friend (5,3) 15. An outhouse on street is hidden (7)

16. Secretary brought in recognised writer's block (7)

20. Tragic scene of crime sitting in European tradition (8)

22. Indian city accommodates parking for historic location (6)

23. Navy in Naples restored State (12) 25. Wader again seen on island (4)

26. Supervised one at sea securing lines (8)

27. Old bandleader having Lawrences put away horse (3,5)

DOWN

2. Note group taking month over rental agreement (8)

3. Break during school time is heaven (12) 4. Old German crossing Bali, free to express great happiness (8) 5. Cover for face when headmaster breaks jaw (7)

6. Engaged in protecting cross, one combats evil (6)

7. Patriarch against wearing Hawaiian garland (4)

8. Rugs taken up for daughter in midlands town (8)

12. Air, extremely assertive, M Lisle’s composed (12) 15. Followers pursue triallist perhaps (8) 17. Future minister in rising party hurried to suppress row (8)

18. Pithy speaker tense going round pub (8) 19. Man being prepared runs vehicle inside (7) 21. Plato finally co-ordinates knowledge — it's inspired (6)

24. Xmas season to bode ill, ultimately? (4)