CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

No 16,854

ACROSS

1 Finish trick question about Democrat (8) 5 Appear humble (4,2) 9 Shrill job for a tattooist (8) 10 Dread head office men arresting radicals (6) 12 Simple English, say, needs translating (4) 13 Shell a bear causing uproar (10) 15 Moving fast, officers secure our triumph (6,7) 19 Papers I’d pack, being brought in (8,5) 23 Tongue perhaps that’s used when playing this instrument? (5,5) 25 Group that plays somewhat histrionically (4) 28 Change handle that’s not available among soldiers (6) 29 Collect idiot with unfinished badge (8) 30 Nobody in particular takes part in canyon exploration (6) 31 Writer, unknown one, invested in foreign assets (8)

DOWN

1 One who manages to import phosphorus and metal (6) 2 Wants what baker does, so I hear (5) 3 Secure section of canal (4) 4 Libertine put on uniform in first month briefly (3,4) 6 TV company doctor’s weapon of mass destruction (1-4) 7 Duo scrawl terrible signs of impending conflict (3,6) 8 I propose wrong swimmer in school (8) 11 Stop Kenya’s leader leaving alliance (4) 14 Worrying growth in Regency style? (4) 15 Part of band French queen organised extremely carefully (9) 16 Tease one who gets burnt in November (3) 17 Singer left vessel (4) 18 Liqueur? It upset mother during song (3,5) 20 Fruit one’s removed, turning over some ground (4) 21 Charles is introducing special framework (7) 22 A persuasive company man (6) 24 The manager includes someone with muscles (2-3) 26 Religious teacher and rector fit to host bishops (5) 27 Second-class book put away upside down (4)