I really enjoyed this…
…with many sharp references to Boris Johnson and 'Partygate'. Lots of likes – top favourites were 9ac, 2dn, and 15dn. Thanks to Vlad
| ACROSS | ||
| 9 | DUPLICITY |
Party allowed by Yard? That’s chicanery! (9)
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DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) + LICIT="allowed" + Y (yard) |
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| 10 | EXILE |
One banished from historic mansion leaving quietly? (5)
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EX (former, "historic") + P-ILE="mansion" minus P (piano, "quietly") |
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| 11 | NILGAIS |
Love, I talk a lot about big beasts (7)
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definition: large Asian antelopes NIL=zero="Love", plus I with GAS="talk a lot" about it |
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| 12 | WARLOCK |
Fighting security measure, he may leave you spellbound (7)
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WAR="Fighting" + LOCK="security measure" |
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| 13 | INGLE |
Fire individual that’s not succeeded (5)
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definition: a fire / fireplace S-INGLE="individual" minus S (short for succeeded as in e.g. royal succession) |
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| 14 | DITHYRAMB |
Drinkers’ song from master during boozy birthday (9)
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definition: a hymn to Dionysus, Greek god of wine M (master) in anagram/"boozy" of (birthday)* |
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| 16 | I CANNOT TELL A LIE |
‘All in at election after touring’, as country’s leader once reputedly said (1,6,4,1,3)
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definition: a quote attributed to George Washington anagram/"after touring" of (All in at election)* |
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| 19 | STRAIGHTS |
Way to get entitlements? One claimed they’re not bent (9)
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ST (Street, "Way") + RIGHTS="entitlements" around A="one" |
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| 21 | CASTE |
Rank of those originally involved in investigation (5)
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T-hose (first letter/"originally") inside CASE="investigation" |
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| 22 | WHAT FOR |
Why I’m surprised to get backing (4,3)
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WHAT=exclamation of surprise + FOR="backing" |
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| 23 | COVER-UP |
Bloke largely innocent, on reflection, but keeping the truth hidden (5-2)
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COVE=a man, a chap="Bloke" + most of PUR-e="largely innocent" reversed/"on reflection" |
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| 24 | IDEAL |
One successful outcome of trade negotiations — perfect! (5)
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I="One" + DEAL="successful outcome of trade negotiations" |
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| 25 | ALEXANDER |
Great man, as Boris really is first! (9)
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definition: reference to Alexander the Great Alexander is Boris Johnson's real first name |
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| DOWN | ||
| 1 | IDENTIFIES |
Is definite about names (10)
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anagram/"about" of (Is definite)* |
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| 2 | APOLOGIA |
In a diary recalled work meeting one afternoon — this justifies conduct? (8)
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reversed/"recalled" OP="work", inside A LOG="a diary" + I="one" + A (afternoon) |
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| 3 | PIRATE |
Talk about current lawbreaker at sea (6)
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PRATE="Talk" about I=symbol for electric "current" |
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| 4, 8 | MISSPEAK |
Height of failure? Lie! (8)
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MISS PEAK="Height of failure" |
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| 5 | EYEWITNESS |
Yes, seen rarely to possess intelligence — I can vouch for it (10)
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anagram/"rarely" of (Yes seen)*, around WIT="intelligence" |
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| 6 | BETRAYAL |
Have confidence over investigator (female) — never good to show disloyalty (8)
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BET="Have confidence" + Sue G-RAY="investigator" of 'Partygate' [wiki] + G-AL="female", without any G (good) |
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| 7 | LIPOMA |
Starts to prevaricate over man in trouble — flipping fatty lump (6)
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starting letters to P-revaricate O-ver M-an; all inside AIL="trouble" reversed/"flipping" |
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| 8 |
See 4
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| 14 | DUTCH TREAT |
In truth, acted deplorably — it means others shouldn’t have to pay the price for you (5,5)
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definition: splitting the bill for e.g. a meal anagram/"deplorably" of (In truth acted)* |
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| 15 | BEEKEEPERS |
Sweetheart, continue having drinks outside! We look after the workers (10)
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definition: referring to worker bees "Sweetheart" => heart of 'sw-E-et', plus KEEP="continue"; with BEERS="drinks" outside |
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| 17 | NAIL FILE |
Digital appliance fine (all I need to change) (4,4)
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definition: 'digits' as in fingers anagram/"to change" of (fine all I)* |
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| 18 | LESTRADE |
Inspector overshadowed in case (half redacted, unfortunately) (8)
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definition: a character in the Sherlock Holmes stories [wiki] – overshadowed by Holmes as a detective LEST="in case" + anagram/"unfortunately" of the first half of (reda)* -cted |
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| 20 | REARED |
Brought up rule with listeners (6)
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R (rule) + EARED=having ears="with listeners" |
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| 21 | CAVEAT |
Whip’s greeting included warning (6)
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CAT=cat-o'-nine-tails, a "Whip"; around AVE=Latin "greeting" |
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| 22 | WHIG |
Old opponent of Tories now highly content? (4)
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contained in, part of the "content" of: no-W HIG-hly |
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| 23 | CRED |
Being worthy of respect? Conservative’s looking embarrassed (4)
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C (Conservative) + RED="looking embarrassed" |
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