This crossword No. 26301 clues and answers were published on Wed 02 Jul 2014 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 26301 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Shift operative time of sportsman’s appointment : BACKDATE
5-across – Husband in novelist’s latest yarn recoils in horror : AGHAST
9-across – Charmer? More vexed hosts cheer when he’s gone : SORCERER
10-across – Ten with hip complaint, all coming together : INFLUX
12-across – In Rome I love old Latin sparkling wine : AMONTILLADO
15-across – Harry keeps home functioning : DOING
17-across – Put small stone inside to make a crackling sound : CREPITATE
18-across – Aunts et al badly treated in Muslim autocracy : SULTANATE
19-across – Respond to order about turn : REACT
20-across – Line of French reservists invading lyceum : DECOLLETAGE
24-across – Tablet’s coating causing harm in mouth : PLAQUE
25-across – Sole diversion at island welcomed by coppers : PATIENCE
26-across – Present set back left-winger after payment of tax : TENDER
27-across – Arch over seat accommodating two leaders in trial : STRADDLE
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Corrupt doctor’s transport parked in depot : BASTARDISE
2-down – Pocketing raised offer, my character’s liable to deteriorate : CORRODIBLE
3-down – Lived with carnal thoughts upping temperature : DWELT
4-down – Choir’s situation shortly after chorister finds better option : TREBLECHANCE
6-down – Canal worker, one doomed to carry fallen idol? : GONDOLIER
7-down – Well absolutely empty : ABLY
8-down – Old mate featured in Times passage : TEXT
11-down – Tablet walker crunched for afters : BAKEWELLTART
13-down – Exotic dancer in possession of a vehicle took touring holiday : CARAVANNED
14-down – Observer’s outlook sees very little about the year changing : WEATHEREYE
16-down – Noble old lady died, owing about a thousand : GRANDDUKE
21-down – US graduate overlooked climbing plant : ERICA
22-down – Strikes up a bit of an argument : SPAT
23-down – Large bird with down cut : SAWN
This crossword has in total 28 where 14 are across and 14 are down.