Daily Answers

1-across – Hence failure, nothing less, is grave : SOLEMN

4-across – Incidents where git punches crusty things behind back of cafe : EPISODES

9-across – Hollow sculpture, perhaps, encapsulating a reflection of the early afternoon? : ARMPIT

10-across – Grass around broom not entirely swept back, revealing plant : ROSEBUSH

11-across – Argentinian leader calls God often when swimming in papal palace : CASTELGANDOLFO

13-across – What may bring the roof down for the audience gets closer for a writer? : SEALINGWAX

14-across – Mistake that may be reversed? : BOOB

16-across – Warmer 14 : MUFF

18-across – Chiefly, bread found in skip wrapped in newspaper less perfect : DOMINANTLY

21-across – Red, indigo’s second, then brown one, perhaps? : CARDINALNUMBER

23-across – Doctor having filled bottle, dropping lid in coat : LAMBSKIN

24-across – See 8 : HUMOUR

25-across – Stupidity, as partners stop briefly to punch hooter : NONSENSE

26-across – Turn both taps, darling, then scrub back : CHANGE

1-down – Bird that’s smoked : SHAG

2-down – Priest hosts wicked dance : LAMBADA

3-down – Keep the blue and brown, pocketing one : MAINTAIN

5-down – Bum, fart, poo in an act of irreverence : PROFANATION

6-down – Sherry emptied, drinking went fast : SPEEDY

7-down – Gloom and doom with this blue mood, not married sadly : DOUBLEO

8-down – Stink in so much holy mess with setters’ lack of sophistication : SCHOOLBOY

12-down – Soldiers in line go to take a battering ram : LEGIONARIES

13-down – Mark of a writer comes in novel, nothing left to hide : SEMICOLON

15-down – Belittle liberal mad to enter fight over leadership in House : BADMOUTH

17-down – Lift title that’s beneath pro boxer : FOREMAN

19-down – Secure community housing that is beginning to deteriorate : TIEDOWN

20-down – Paper towels initially put out : TISSUE

22-down – Available, some beer freshly served up : FREE

1-across – Photographer has similar facility to that of 17 : SNOWDON

5-across – Attack weapon used by Thatcher to start afresh : SANDBAG

9-across – A form of stock illustration tacked onto articles : ASPIC

10-across – Unique group celebrations securing leading place in the past : GALAPAGOS

11-across – German ruler once took in voters : ELECTORATE

12-across – One who was bound to come back in 16 : SERF

14-across – Get an irate look from the last in the chain of five : LAKEONTARIO

18-across – Little room for dressing containing girdle : LINENCLOSET

21-across – Bird said to be back : RHEA

22-across – Man with an issue to resolve records what’s said : AMANUENSIS

24-across – Female spy sleep-in causes a rumpus : SHEMOZZLE

26-across – Drug ends drear state : QATAR

27-across – Ronaldo playing for US city : ORLANDO

28-across – Opening partner remains in top place : EVEREST

1-down – One who criticises celebrity chef : SLATER

2-down – Bird rings before end of the day : OSPREY

3-down – Events over two days have not clashed badly : DECATHLONS

4-down – Long-distance runner tearing about with no little thanks : NIGER

5-down – Explanations get souls into trouble : SOLUTIONS

6-down – Tip for winning card game : NAP

7-down – Virus supports ongoing problems : BUGBEARS

8-down – Fall for the ending of 10 — frequently it can be told : GOSOFTON

13-down – Dignified way to get queue shortened on a weekday : STATUESQUE

15-down – I’ve got a gal here in Michigan : KALAMAZOO

16-down – Outside firm after a large return for 12 : ALFRESCO

17-down – Manly height can be got up on track : SNAEFELL

19-down – Fly in Thailand direction, twice : TSETSE

20-down – Wit especially getting slower : ESPRIT

23-down – Fashionable Med resort said to be a relative term : NIECE

25-down – Have leaders of the opposition waiting nervously : OWN

1-across – Second couple from Brazil rejected place to sleep? : BOUDOIR

5-across – Thinks a little more, as on ­screen : REASONS

9-across – Performers no more precise : EXACT

10-across – Split classic suit, is money OTT for tailoring? : ITSNOTYOU

11-across – At sea, so plunders magnificent stuff : SPLENDOURS

12-across – Perfectly brown bread, not sliced at first : TOAT

14-across – Sarong’s packed by George! : FLIPPINGNORA

18-across – Making the most, saw savings — £100, current investment : MAXIMISATION

21-across – Gents’ toilet playing romantic song : LETS

22-across – Senior group writes, taxing Americans I must infiltrate : PENSIONERS

25-across – Fear of novelty mince pie on a hob : NEOPHOBIA

26-across – See 10 : ITSME

27-across – Brief hippy movement’s condition, close to assembly plant : SALSIFY

28-across – See 21 : GETITON

1-down – Enhancements from competitor mistitled petite? : BREAST

2-down – United’s jet is fit for service : USABLE

3-down – Partying with bar, nearly exposed : OUTONALIMB

4-down – Animal’s hip described in Aristotle’s letter : RHINO

5-down – Check others shower on time : RESTRAINT

6-down – Queue heard following this lot to the highest point : ATOP

7-down – Axes to split old plank, pretty ugly one : OXYMORON

8-down – Hit double to knock out gutted team again : STUNTMAN

13-down – Land expert on a rig most awkwardly : AGRONOMIST

15-down – When Charles should inherit, thug stands up as representative : POSTERBOY

16-down – See 1 : IMPLANTS

17-down – Sex show about Liberals — it predicts the X-rating : EXITPOLL

19-down – Liking golf when retired causes annoyance : GETSAT

20-down – Train set ran mainly backwards : ASTERN

23-down – Somewhat indigenous language : SLANG

24-down – Reportedly finish drawing tongue : THAI

1-across – Courage following trouble may provide comfort in retirement : HOTWATERBOTTLE

8-across – Concerning the morning’s papers : REAMS

9-across – Keeps us confined in bad spots : SUSTAINS

11-across – I’d return to awkward point and read just a few passages : DIPINTO

12-across – Outdoor writer bursting into love song : OPENAIR

13-across – Points to the girl to follow : ENSUE

15-across – Feels a bit irritated by trifling annoyances : FLEABITES

17-across – Group going after sin? : VICESQUAD

20-across – Sensational piece of luck getting free : LURID

21-across – Squirming eels can be seen in twists together : ENLACES

23-across – Notices damaged part : SECTION

25-across – Handy treatment for wild flower : MANICURE

26-across – Proof of a convenient absence? : ALIBI

27-across – Music industry backer, who notes down each and every act : RECORDINGANGEL

1-down – Beginner’s course in French : HORSDOEUVRES

2-down – Go for a long walk, or take up afternoon painting : TRAMP

3-down – Not so busy types told to go in a busy type’s place : ABSENTEES

4-down – We hear cockney bloke’s going to relax : EASEOFF

5-down – Is said to be ordered beforehand : BESPOKE

6-down – Employment exchange? : TRADE

7-down – Gaunt house : LANCASTER

10-down – Parent lied — is out of order, like Nixon and Clinton? : PRESIDENTIAL

14-down – Is one ill at ease with this? : SICKLEAVE

16-down – Battle helmet : BALACLAVA

18-down – Imperfect result of a French test : UNSOUND

19-down – Spot Cinders acting up : DISCERN

22-down – Company about to declare capital : CAIRO

24-down – Freezing, despite a topcoat? : ICING

7-across – Tension generated by topless frolics outside Number 10 : ANXIETY

8-across – See 1 : BOARDER

9-across – Pretty short message : TWEE

10-across – UKIP not suitable for everyone, suspends transatlantic services : RESTSTOPS

12-across – Tartan cloth for the party : PLAID

13-across – Eaterie with a contin­ental stimulant : CAFFEINE

15-across – It’s spotted before penultimate vote in Parliament : DIET

16-across – American author’s Fourth of July verse : POESY

17-across – Slugs for children : TOTS

18-across – Is racist organisation dividing Farage constituents? : TRIASSIC

20-across – Labour leader in a hole — produce new poll? : CALVE

21-across – Stage a coup? Balls might : OVERPOWER

22-across – Jeer and grunt before beginning and end : GIBE

24-across – Tackle man with three feet : HALYARD

25-across – Withdraws research about two ducks : REPAIRS

1-down – Ward Osborne off — he can go downhill fast : SNOW

2-down – Prisoner at the back of emergency transporter : LIFERAFT

3-down – Blast! Flipping Miliband gave me the eye! : STARED

4-down – Lib Dem leader’s broadcast an irritant for Derby candidates : HORSEFLY

5-down – Enjoy this dance rhythm : GROOVE

6-down – Policies? Environment and sustainability primarily for Greens : PEAS

11-down – Dacre’s tricked Galloway, perhaps — it’s above criticism : SACREDCOW

12-down – Before or after electoral method number one? : PRIOR

14-down – Mineral turning up in travertine : NITRE

16-down – Papers vote for the Left : PASSPORT

17-down – Cable to phone Mrs Simpson back : TELEGRAM

19-down – Tree-hugger repeatedly getting Sturgeon’s vote? : AYEAYE

20-down – Fat lady singing here? Rattled Cameron gives nothing away : CARMEN

21-down – Fine wine? No time! : OKAY

23-down – B – O = b : BORN