CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

15, 039

Across

1. It’s imprudent, however let’s split up society (11) 9. Steal small inferior French article (7) 10. Supporter of mine’s short report about trip abroad (3,4) 11. Put on a big bra? (3) 12. Businesses accept new sanction (7) 13. He checks pupils customarily, somehow ignoring Mary (7) 14. Admit operating with nothing initially (3) 15. Members of Parliament backed message (5) 17. Late poem, say, written in cathedral city (5) 18. Accountant defends credit in African capital (5) 20. Stone barely metamorphosed without one (5) 22. Change 14 immediately (3) 24. One about to enter the pit, turning round and round (7) 25. In talk, arrive at absorbing question: is it a fruit? (7) 26. Tree remains (3) 27. Make more acceptable weapon with litt le investment (7) 28. He flew a group from Moravia to Romania (7) 29. Most go beyond lying spread- eagled (11)

Down

1. Neglecting oral, I failed in FE institute (8,7) 2. Illegal position in game is your right in UK (7) 3. Appear briefly as novice in disputed game (5) 4. Sailor tackles work with prett y girl for highest price (3,6) 5. Motivate, then perhaps put into service (7) 6. Entertainment, say, that doesn’t make anything (7,8) 7. Film involved chops with scary ending (6) 8. Lack of feeling by a priest at start and end of homily (6) 16. A doctor beginning to use his knife in this vehicle? (9) 18. Horrified adult overcome by fumes picked up (6) 19. Austere sect CIA dispersed (7) 21. Arctic rodent — Nigel managed to trap 2000 (7) 23. Thin wife had a meal on railway (6) 25. Uniform colour of Gurkha kitbags (5)