C ryptic corne r

Across

1 Writer and computer expert stuck in Scottish river (9)

8 Funny performer — laugh about final parts of his act (6)

9 Toast provides comfort (6) 12 Cleric I’m meeting in the morning (4) 13 Direction given by prime minister, once (5) 14 Fellow is hot, wearing hat (4) 17 Referee initially infuriates Scottish team (7) 18 Retired Communist keeping lots of papers is an unrealistic type (7) 19 Spy disconcerted by fashionable clairvoyant, perhaps (7)

22 Pastry dish given to hairless black and white animal (7) 24 Money drawer yet unopened (4) 25 Rene’s awfully scornful remark (5) 26 Punctured tyre in a certain type of race (4) 29 Rough golfing terrain, we’re told (6) 30 Groans about an item of clothing (6) 31 TV programme making nobleman depressed (9)

Down

2 Loathe part of that exhibition (4)

3 Eager to learn? That’s strange (7) 4 Former partner summoned to appear in court is agitated (7)

5 Dane wandering in foreign location (4) 6 Wretched airmen stay behind (6)

7 Greek actor admitting a fellow (6)

10 Shame about getting involved in argument (9) 11 Divine beauty sported pet hairdo (9) 15 Derek briefly given greeting in foreign city (5) 16 Illness associated with Saturday night? (5) 20 Snooker ball making you shout ‘Ouch!’ (6) 21 Box of cutlery for factory’s restaurant (7) 22 About end of race, pedals furiously, feeling delighted (7) 23 Suffering when travelling in boat without a hat (6) 27 Top removed from freight carried in ancient vessel (4) 28 Somewhere on board, there’s a din after port’s first spotted (4)