This crossword No. 22880 clues and answers were published on Fri 11 Jul 2003 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 22880 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – American diffidence where dollars are involved : FEDERALRESERVE
8-across – Paint spray is not appropriate : INAPT
9-across – Give one a ring : AFFIANCE
11-across – Idiots – old ones possibly : NOODLES
12-across – One takes a bow, still shaky after church : CELLIST
13-across – Party unknown to a foreign country : LIBYA
15-across – Resort to the nether regions and corruption : DISREPAIR
17-across – French – base breed, rough but cultivated : FLOWERBED
20-across – Ruth contains first example of devotion : PIETY
21-across – Arbiter of cooked delicacy : RAREBIT
23-across – Nazi thugs in vulgar military expedition : CRUSADE
25-across – It was the making of the first lady : SPARERIB
26-across – Plant when season’s not begun : INTER
27-across – Once gay, perhaps with reason to do with women : GYNAECOLOGICAL
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Amicable source of warmth that can be lethal : FRIENDLYFIRE
2-down – Stars manage without motoring organisation : DRACO
3-down – Back pay given new priority : RETALIATE
4-down – Ladies one might have formed a connection with : LIAISED
5-down – Rubs out spot embodying greasy spoon repulsion : EFFACES
6-down – Zola doesn’t end without a message : EMAIL
7-down – Can active culture protect against disease? : VACCINATE
10-down – Flyer turns to Meryl Streep out east : STORMYPETREL
14-down – Book of Life : BIOGRAPHY
16-down – Embracing clairvoyance, employing nothing intermediate : ESPOUSING
18-down – City : BUTYRIC
19-down – Sound measure of tenth Babylonian deity? : DECIBEL
22-down – Rising friction over small vehicle’s personal cover : BURKA
24-down – Grotesque figure derived from the manticore : ANTIC
This crossword has in total 28 where 14 are across and 14 are down.