This crossword No. 27981 clues and answers were published on Mon 18 Nov 2019 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 27981 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
8-across – Infiltrate team prepared to stop father in France : PERMEATE
9-across – Helicopter swiftly circling hospital : APACHE
10-across – Trees with bark close to leaves : BAYS
11-across – Priestly pouch given to queen told off outside entrance to abbey : SACERDOTAL
12-across – Husband leaving shore working in lighthouse : BEACON
14-across – Rodent in museum put down : MUSQUASH
15-across – Composer’s bottom rejected by topless minx : DEBUSSY
17-across – Ferryman carrying son nursed by old lovers to reach cult leader : CHARLES
20-across – Boat on cart returned to recycling facility? : JUNKYARD
22-across – Money once made from fake tapes about Spain : PESETA
23-across – Find cameo carved on crucifix : COMEACROSS
24-across – Streep finally gets to play Bond! : PACT
25-across – Wild fire damaged church : FIERCE
26-across – Iron tree uprooted and set in a different position : REORIENT
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Lawyers talk of high winds in shelter : LEGALESE
2-down – Where soldiers may be caught leaving special units : AMPS
3-down – See 17 : MANSON
4-down – Large committee admitted to small reception : WELCOME
5-down – PM once almost overlooked parliamentary record, ignoring new religious school : MADRASAH
6-down – Guides graduate at new university in over complex points : MANOEUVRES
7-down – Tricks won in clubs and hearts, without a king : CHEATS
13-down – Rock star has cut of beef served with fruit : CHUCKBERRY
16-down – Women into bags wanting large fabric samples : SWATCHES
18-down – Attractive husband leaving awfully nice thing : ENTICING
19-down – Put off by fuss about Japan’s capital vessel : ADJOURN
21-down – Universal lines taken from Shaping Trees written by Thomas More : UTOPIA
22-down – Shepherd almost over hill : PASTOR
24-down – Fastidious setter’s following promising leads : PRIM
This crossword has in total 28 where 14 are across and 14 are down.