cryptic crossword

ACROSS

1 Enduring Queen described by

playful expert (12)

8 Practically nobody takes trouble to get regular figure (7)

9 Alters entrances around court

(7)

11 Husband, wayward one could

be soused (7)

12 Incorrectly pick up short cut

following motorway (7)

13 Help putting plug back inside

drinks (5)

14 Vandal, almost uncultivated,

besieging ancient city (9)

16 A striver, I fancy? (9)

19 King surrounded by knaves

and jokers (5)

21 Narrow head of tree monkey

with rosy behind (7)

23 Tory’s first excuse for

rebellion (7)

24 Dismiss employee accepting

money (7)

25 Male with urn sculpted for 1

or 2? (7)

26 Screen matron adjusted to

see complaint (12)

DOWN

1 One impaled acquiring new

cut (7)

2 Gluttons originally identified

gee-gee in pastry dishes (7)

3 Dismissed a general brought

up protecting traitors (9)

4 Scene of destruction over

misdeeds initially (5)

5 Plaintiff’s account about drug

addict (7)

6 Generally see supporting

facilities? (7)

7 Chastise unit at sea that’s

keen (12)

10 Unexpectedly grumpy about

parking going up (12)

15 Frenchman’s revolting taking

little time for bribe (9)

17 Comeback from Republican

that is holding office (7)

18 From extrovert I got

unbalanced feeling (7)

19 Jack boasted about triumph

over mother before noon (7)

20 Order dish out again (7)

22 Trickery seen during

detective’s game (5)