CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

13 347

Across

6. Lower middle-class Tories’ big EU pot’s wasted (5,9) 9. Catch out rector in pulpit (not large) in retreat (4,2) 10. A pretty spread with a Mad Hatter et al (3,5) 11. Use crayon excessively and go into the red (8) 13. Put crude in vessel - it produces improvement (6) 15. Blemish in desert (6) 17. Who displays lots of energy? Many do when trained (6) 19. Zest half gone, came hobbling round? That’s rash (6) 20. Refreshing Sunday tea endlessly drunk, maybe (8) 22. It often gets scattered at entrance to church (8) 24. Silly old trout, say, has one (6) 26. Court negotiation involving Angela, Brian and pig (4-10)

Down

1. Authorised train as community home? (8,6) 2. Halt part of first operation (4) 3. Puts up with soldiers’ lethargy (6) 4. Attempt to conceal a ruse somehow in Fort Knox, say (8) 5. Second-class degree inspired Spielberg film (4) 7. Capital erected a power unit, old (6) 8. I restore dining in mess, using this service? (8,6) 12. Search for weapon É (5) 14. ... discover tiny amount (5) 16. Applauded fast musical monologue, say? Nonsense (8) 18. Strange fungi cover mountain, giving off vapour (6) 21. It’s old, dilapidated and not easily moved (6) 23. Spare tyre, almost flat and black (4) 25. Female, drunk, makes hurried departure (4)