CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across 1.

Stuck? Acid finishes off in a corrosive way (7)

5. Foxy person may err if RU turn him out (7)

9. Last used one out of weariness (9) 10. Georgia and Edward are not allowed out of college (5)

11. Musical group, etc, to break up (5)

12. She dances at a formal dance, one near to being changed (9)

13. Good — he’s not passed by on the other side (9)

16. Tessa gives one back something worth having (5)

17. One who pries into the bloody hooter (5)

18. Exactly the same diet in preparation for California to finish (9) 20. Irregular fighter, or almost irregular, the Left engages (9)

23. Allow Virginia to get away from the tramp (5)

25. Seaweed that gets distributed in a gale (5)

26. Baptismal sponsor of a Mafia boss (9) 27. None blacker than the task Red formulated (7)

28. It’s morally right to hit Alec this way (7)

Down 1.

Everybody in company, American, is cruel (7)

2. Disturbed by us, pet shifts about (5) 3. One who chirps about TT writer going around the East (9)

4. The least bit of comfort got from the soft part of the loaf (5)

5. No staff writer, being at liberty, will make clean break (9)

6. A rascal who doesn’t start with an Irish accent (5)

7. It’s almost nice in stir, if it’s inherent (9)

8. Glowing it may be, in a dart like this (7)

14. Courier seen spreading germs (9) 15. It glows red when it’s tight, and one is all confused (4-5)

16. A signature that may be booked (9)

17. Mean person will haul the spirit up (7) 19. Sideways thinking might alter a novice at the wheel (7) 21. Thread end of rope through for the old steward (5)

22. Dad upset the French — bad egg! (5)

24. For this special purpose it’s written in Latin (2,3)