Enigmatic Variations No.1199 – Belief by Stick Insect

I do believe I’ve done it again!  I’m sorry this is late.  I had ‘EVs’ written on my hand all day Friday to remind me to finish this off.

The preamble informs us of two characters – A and B – each with a belief.  Seven answers are modified in line with A’s belief, but B seems to have the upper hand, as A’s name is ultimately replaced by B’s.  Extra letters spelling out B’s belief should help us on our way.

It becomes apparent that 17ac is one of the ‘character A’ clues.  ADORED must be made to fit three cells.  Perhaps ADO or RED?  27dn gives SABRED, so now I’m pretty sure it’s the RED that has to go.

Believe it or not, though, that didn’t reveal the identity of character A.  I think that’s because I was enjoying the puzzle, and didn’t pause to pursue that line of enquiry.

After a while there are possible words appearing at the start and end of the extra letter belief of character B.  Some further puzzling, and some Googling, brings up:

WE MUST NOT CONFUSE DISSENT WITH DISLOYALTY

Now it all falls into place.  That was the belief of EDWARD MURROW, whose name is to be written along the leading diagonal (NW to SE).  ED…OW is already in place, and the other letters – which read MCCARTHY (his ideological opponent, and disliker of REDs) – are to be replaced.

I’m very impressed that we’re left with a grid of real words.

It is my BELIEF that solvers are unlikely to see RED, but are… um… remain loyal to the solver and the EVs?  Very enjoyable.

Notation

(xxx) = definition
[xxx] = (anagram/homophone/container/etc.) indicator
XXX* = anagram
< = reversal
WHEAT = extra letter

Please post a comment if the explanations are not clear.