This crossword No. 25686 clues and answers were published on Thu 12 Jul 2012 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 25686 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Picture of Foreign Secretary : DESCRIBE
5-across – Little creature, quiet and soft round the edge : SHRIMP
9-across – Civil riot can be expressive of ill will : VITRIOLIC
11-across – To find Conservative leader in benefit would be sweet : DOLCE
12-across – Occasions with top people having alternative opinions? : TIMESLEADERS
15-across – Thought some should be paid each month : IDEA
16-across – Like some shales help to keep the wheels turning : OILBEARING
18-across – Restraint heard before arrest, largely giving way to plastic : CHEQUEBOOK
19-across – College member without a study : DEAN
21-across – Agent’s friend collapsed, lacking support : FREESTANDING
24-across – Where soldiers are about to dig madly between furrows : RIDGE
25-across – Count died, unfortunately, to be taken off : DEDUCTION
26-across – A quarter is enough to try : SAMPLE
27-across – Faculty of approval in boat race crew? : EYESIGHT
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – It’s a comedown, though some evidence points the other way : DIVE
2-down – Glut finds composer one short : SATE
3-down – Fruit of glorifying without Tips? : RAISIN
4-down – Slug in meals put up on the wall? : BULLETINBOARD
6-down – Pelt off to a place of refuge : HIDEAWAY
7-down – Punished after sick notes found too vague? : ILLDEFINED
8-down – Newspaper man in current depression : PRESSAGENT
10-down – Boldly do 11 off without emotion : COLDBLOODEDLY
13-down – Implements used by orchestras for tuning? : PITCHFORKS
14-down – Vote could be free but odd about finish : REFERENDUM
17-down – Knockout over the abyss, wherein is brevity : NUTSHELL
20-down – Grotesque stance makes law : ENACTS
22-down – Confess what’s bad? Good! : SING
23-down – King added head to the King’s Head : KNUT
This crossword has in total 28 where 14 are across and 14 are down.