CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

No 16,542

ACROSS 1 A magical omen transformed one with lust for power (12) 8 Defensive move in rugby could, swapping parts, be brusque (4-3) 9 Holy place can and must change (7) 11 In which to record what thieves do in library? (10) 12 Disorder in Times Square (4) 14 Short burly male developed protection in shower (8) 16 Part of Japan that’s hard on footwear, so I hear (6) 17 Couple involved in networking (3) 19 Malagasy primates initially manage to break new rules (6) 21 Attractive English silver containing spirit (8) 24 Monty Python member in return of panel discussion (4) 25 Tearful Charles staggered round yard with medic (10) 27 Distributor used in winter’s hardier without one (7) 28 Pass round loot due for distribution (4,3) 29 Hard-hearted cleaner in small university put forward (12)

DOWN 1 CBI man managed to catch independent taxi (7) 2 Cook obeys Roger, one of many in jam perhaps (10) 3 Buoyancy aid — it’ll be designed to include iron (4,4) 4 Bringer of good luck, primarily mainly on racecourse (6) 5 Nobody’s Number 1 (4) 6 Ingenuous 29, as Londoners might say (7) 7 Small cool structure that’s associated with the Clyde (12) 10 Teacher reserves conclusion and slips (12) 13 Burly actor represented fundraising group (6,4) 15 Seaweed inspires wonder (3) 18 Sharp engineer tooted horn, missing soldiers (2,3,3) 20 Lots working to support factory on island (7) 22 Rage about operating gold deposit producing other metal (4,3) 23 More honest judge rises to defend broadcast (6) 26 State of crazy author ignoring Oregon (4)