Observer Everyman

Across

1. Top monk’s snack prepared as party staple (8,5)

8. Bottom seen in bearskins, oddly (5)

9. Can sprats get battered in famous London location? (2,7)

11. ‘Independence stifled: ace!’ Cameron ordered drink (9)

12. Lavish spread with no starter for Hindu god (5)

13. Poet known by initials (W. C.) going back over introduction to sonnet (1,1,5)

15. Dish including cheese: sag of the bum to come back round (7)

17. Busy, on a boat, in channels that might get congested (7)

19. Half of what’s seen in seasoner adding little taste for starters? (3,4)

21. Where you might find Adonis ... or bearskins (5)

23. ‘Date, essentially?’ ‘Here and now’ (2,7)

25. Partly dapper cap: it adorns a head (3,6)

26. Swearing’s a little loathsome (5)

27. Fantastic luck: ‘Not haggis, Aunt Sally’ (8,5)

Down

2. Undressed yobs, spectacle that’s indecent (7)

3. Gives evidence: ‘Four quit wild festivities ‘ (9)

4. No good: agates ransacked, lost (2,3)

5. Almost closed shop arranged for one who worked in theatre (9)

6. Galliano nose jobs – covered up – they’re taboo (2-3)

7. Kinky game (7)

8. Adonis undresses, rising for the rest (6,5)

10. They hang from the ceiling in attics, stale, sultry (11)

14. Conductor: ‘Opera by Paganini? Not half !’ (9)

16. Son dressing monkey, George, in jacket – he’ll be in trouble (9)

18. Somewhere in Africa, ‘dry’ European: ‘Drink up!’ (7)

20. On the contrary, US spies take month to become clean (7)

22. Primarily, tone with adenoidal nasality, generally? (5)

24. Primarily, pesky road accident necessitating garagist? (5)