CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Unwavering rival to

Boy George? (7)

5. Set out condition shown in fake end to treaty (6)

9. Relish shown in two masted vessel ahead (7)

10. Certainly characterising a hardliner’s outlook? (2,5)

11. Beam of sunlight first to last in Scottish town (3)

12. Ace spy I know when deployed has to walk very carefully (4,4,3)

13. Slow movement in meaning (5)

14. U.S. composer settled in set east of Swiss city (9)

16. A step mate formulated to get spread (4,5)

17. Runner, one looking happy without introduction (5)

19. Conservative by bar blocks a smart Alec (6,5)

22. First signs of route uncovering this deep track (3)

23. Impolite quartet, one interrupting most of lunch sadly (7)

24. British woman in South American country (7)

26. Lively son getting chilly (6)

27. Ultimately insufficient motive for betraying one’s country (7)

Down

1. A week before attraction turns up? That’s tricky (7)

2. A pain a customer developed around depot’s rear creates unwarranted fuss (1,5,2,1,6)

3. Tree found in

Washington (3)

4. Revolutionary books and film as a subject (5)

5. Charlie following the intended route for foyer (9)

6. Avoid foreign magistrate holding degree (5)

7. Ed’s fervour while manoeuvring powerful vehicles (4-5,6)

8. Misfit, say, not to continue to study? (4,2)

12. Accommodate Paul thus regularly close to camp (3,2)

14. Graduate thus supported by colleague in a fundamental way (9)

15. Knock-out games among those missed (5)

16. Deride for all to see first of prizes, a dummy model (4-2)

18. What keen workers might do about electrified transport? (7)

20. Young fish constantly observed around lake (5)

21. Track gold coin (5)

25. Policy to bar new invention (3)