This crossword No. 26844 clues and answers were published on Tue 29 Mar 2016 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 26844 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Last to be dismissed, first catch : HOLDOUT
5-across – An extra drink? Cheers! : PERKSUP
9-across – Moving in/out of team up the valley : COMBE
10-across – Fitful rest before dawn : STOPSTART
11-across – English woman meets House representatives : EMISSARIES
12-across – Food and drink left for daughter : MEAL
14-across – Sign of Labour/Tory grip : CONTRACTION
18-across – Resident champion follows the crowd : HOUSEHOLDER
21-across – Sound horn travelling to and fro : TOOT
22-across – Moving in and out of base : FOUNDATION
25-across – Further strengthen defence on right — Everton’s front two score, if included : REFORTIFY
26-across – Southern France backs introduction of old patois : IDIOM
27-across – Sisters’ building firm closing, then opening : CONVENT
28-across – Check pulse after shocking incident : SCANDAL
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Cut a couple of journalists : HACKED
2-down – Transparent top worn by Puck? : LIMPID
3-down – Respect one formulating a known unknown : OPENSECRET
4-down – Regret a serviceman carries shocking weaponry : TASER
5-down – I reopened building having laid the foundations : PIONEERED
6-down – Dare to feel up and down, but not at first : RISK
7-down – Well in ground provides source of energy : SHALEOIL
8-down – Ratty and Mole holding up a pick-up truck : PETULANT
13-down – Fever results when small boy touches a girl : SCARLATINA
15-down – Wordsmith finds account is entered in rewritten note : NEOLOGIST
16-down – Chorister arranged to miss first song at oratory : RHETORIC
17-down – Influence catch — switch positions : RUBOFFON
19-down – Regretted it being in black and white : PITIED
20-down – Looking up word for layer: a hen, perhaps : ANIMAL
23-down – 20th-century wordsmith was indecisive : NOYES
24-down – Open with key finally, moving to front : FREE
This crossword has in total 30 where 14 are across and 16 are down.