CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Spoil test period in order, expelling small number (7) 5 Small Russian leader’s backing pointless exercises (3-3) 9 Cheap information (7) 10 Brag about doctor’s hot air (7) 11 Sister welcomes independent teacher (3) 12 Oil spilt in unusual Monsieur’s painting style (11) 13 Sentimental person distributes toys around France (5) 14 I put in extra mud after stirring ingredient (9) 16 Real jerk goes after gold in that case (9) 17 Northern joint nearly recalled house member (5) 19 Rewrite parable — add shorter sentence perhaps (4,7) 22 It’s reputed to be primarily old, wise and learned (3) 23 Expecting to have to drop first ruling (7) 24 Bullfighter in charge, waving a prod around (7) 26 Fried chips, adding in unknown old medicine (6) 27 Entertainer’s part is temporarily restricting (7)

DOWN

1 Victor is hemmed in by drinks cases (7) 2 Trusted source of support, like tugboat? (5,2,8) 3 Hoo-ha in Mikado? Not half! (3) 4 Listless feeling in night in Paris? Not entirely (5) 5 Very tiny microphone tails U-boats at sea (9) 6 Invest a million preserving Sri Lankan language (5) 7 Women with shiny hair do pull in best man somehow (8,7) 8 Obstruct Yankee appearing in Times spread (6) 12 Taxation system traps English person receiving cheque (5) 14 Sailor with cold enters old fantastic icy region (9) 15 Unit surfaces in variable nitrogen element (5) 16 Hope a father acquires power (6) 18 Expand general supply (7) 20 Energy American found in Scottish mountains (5) 21 Star has hectare at foot of mountain (5) 25 In cart, this pet could make 14 Down (3)