CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

No 16,969

ACROSS

1 Pair in court touring city district (8)

5 British priest beginning to explain following faith (6)

9 Stand in for novice lately placed in awful side (8)

10 College official almost broke limb in short (6)

12 Competition missing start is behind schedule (4)

13 Victims of accident have loose connections (10)

15 Unkind remark and hint with cheek about European getting spicy accompaniment (8,5)

19 A lot cheat sadly with fine expert working in an exposed position? (2,3,8)

23 Dishonest German woman for all to see left in depression (10)

25 Pain of every person cycling (4)

28 Railing in part of restaurant, we hear (6)

29 Temper speed after second drive leaving centre (8)

30 Sensitive proposal (6)

31 U.S. slum? It is redeveloped getting boost (8)

DOWN

1 Pole with power arranged deal to cover Germany (6)

2 Old walking route, not hard, for Brit in Spain, say (5)

3 Greek character in outlay at intervals (4)

4 Bag containing record about a small waterfall (7)

6 Peer embodying fine qualities (5)

7 Launch organisation for research (9)

8 One caring for elders and the like? (8)

11 Mentor starts to give untrained rookies understanding (4)

14 Treasurer’s original regret is genuine (4)

15 Brigade at front of troops invading Asian island in operation (9)

16 Endless conversation and tea (3)

17 Health resort has new bridge (4)

18 Charlie with a fellow in tense, unseemly scrap? (8)

20 Solitary lake in ordinary U.S. city (4)

21 Row over striking feature of rugby (4-3)

22 Note church with empty seats and alcove (6)

24 Investigate key outsiders in venture (5)

26 Councillor, a Western liberal, gets to behave abjectly (5)

27 Some barrister masters expression (4)