CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Ma – or St – showing flag flown here in distress (4,4)

5. So it’s all bad – and worthless! (2,4)

10. Turncoats seen at the races here (5)

11. A head-to-head in which we invite the king to move (9)

12. Burning cactus that might hold one (7)

13. Where timber is cut into, all swim around (7)

14. Will go wrong in being modest – it’s the drink (6)

16. It is apparent that Monsieur is in vision (7)

19. Explosive may be direct, with oxygen in it (7)

21. Takes shots at species of birds (6)

25. One moaning about orange, right? (7)

26. He may be given a vice to accomplish it (7)

28. He’s mad about himself – come again? (9)

29. A fool might do it after one (5)

30. Having no legs for whisky, rum and the like (6)

31. Conservative leader held TUC thus – firmly! (8)

DOWN

1. He’s mad to imagine the sea ached (8)

2. Professor’s discourse about ET, cruel as may be (7)

3. Choral composition to turn up in NY opera house (5)

4. Change over to a length of false hair (6)

6. Now aroma’s dispersed, she’s having a row (9)

7. One’s view may be sought by Poll (7)

8. Lad we’d trained to waste time by trifling (6)

9. It could be Seth, sad at being hidden away (7)

15. No longer needed to understand how the South was lost (9)

17. Drug of sort to die for? (7)

18. Agreed to send seat in pieces (8)

20. Sort of 14, or solo that comes to nothing (7)

22. In which shepherd makes his meat and potato confection? (7)

23. Serge’s version of it is way-out (6)

24. What a naughty fellow a Lascar can be! (6)

27. Lift one has when entertainer is around (5)