CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Presenter took a long time to deal with captives, as security (8) 5 Was a subordinate fellow first to blossom? (6) 10 Gains a lot from going over fond memories (9) 11 Did a good turn to one learner driver, initially, in association (5) 12 Small figure left in transmitter (7) 13 Fit to take up a painting medium (7) 14 Blur ends up making some gross errors (8) 17 Starting with second-hand copy in some form (5) 19 Display indignation in dangerous situation, like 27 across (5) 21 Nip back to clean up at the highest point (8) 24 Hands over a small symbol to society (7) 25 Painting is a new skill for craftsman (7) 27 One deserter, at the end, can make one angry (5) 28 Soldiers, en masse, followed a diet, on the way back (9) 29 Always just right? To a very great extent (4,2) 30 Have to rest new eye operated on last night (8)

DOWN

1 Sharpens up over time. That’s true (6) 2 Girl in song from the southern US. That’s the end (5) HUGH JOHNSON 3 Desert a working group moving to the front (7) 4 Is very keen to agree with management (5) 6 Find some paste in the remains of some plants (7) 7 Immaculate building at the centre of government in the UK (9) 8 Had to add a tier in order to have branched out (8) 9 Top player took on 25 across when favouring one side (8) 15 Member was behind schedule to lay down the law (9) 16 At one time, poseur turned up with revelation (8) 18 Is included in a public procession through the Promised Land (8) 20 Feels sorry for having run into some wading birds (7) 22 After a short time, persuade others to make an effort (7) 23 Is their harmony among an organised group of workers? (6) 25 Fall out over some silver under excavation, initially (5) 26 Become aware that a senior Senator failed to finish (5)