DOUBLE CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES Across

1 Lacking standards

in morning exam (6)

5 Do away with waste (5)

9 Drunk cooked without

a top on (5)

10 Sarcastic about harmful mischief (7)

11 Whirlpool rips head

from cuddly toy (4)

12 Hoisting-machine will

make girl breathless (8) 16 Clumsily grip the pew,

a heavy object (11)

18 An accountant intended to return to university life (8)

21 Catch redhead entering

collection (4)

23 Coaching without a stew

of dumplings (7)

24 Harsh at the rear (5)

25 Avoid having awful duel

with European leader (5) 26 Blameworthy man I heartlessly let inside (6)

Down

2 Exaggerated play with mama embracing older lunatic (9)

3 Reportedly regretted

being insolent (4)

4 Tidying a lawn, I surprise attendant (4-2-7)

6 Slight cold caught

on high ground (5)

7 Cards include right

measurements (5)

8 Dramatic parts played in Tyrol escape (5)

13 Raised platform

for short flower (4)

14 Other bran mixture

is vile (9)

15 Party with Tom principally in charge (4)

17 Begins a show with zero writing implements? (5)

19 Waterway created from tin and aluminium (5)

20 Top of doughnut sugar-coated, then cut into cubes (5)

22 Some fantastic

vino (4)

QUICK CLUES

Across

1 Held in, repressed (4-2)

5 Fruit with a core (5)

9 Decree, order (5)

10 Little-known (7)

11 Having very little money (4)

12 Funny entertainer (8)

16 Place that rats desert? (7,4)

18 Run-up to Easter (4,4)

21 Reality (4)

23 Pine fruit (3,4)

24 Soldier’s parade ground

marching (5)

25 River-mouth (5)

26 Steering device of

a boat (6)

Down

2 Newspaper’s leading

article (9)

3 Haul, lug (4)

4 Decree (13)

6 Walked with

measured steps (5)

7 Maggot, eg (5)

8 Musical speed (5)

13 Make simpler (4)

14 Mock (9)

15 Bias (4)

17 Hard, unfresh (bread) (5)

19 ___ Oyl, girlfriend of

Popeye (5)

20 Light fast-sailing vessel (5)

22 Object of adoration (4)