Across
Step down first of stairs to break rule (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
S[tairs] in REIGN [rule]
Having turned back nearly half way across ocean, explorer leaves from the Americas (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Reversal [turned back] of OC[ean] + CABOT [John, explorer, who sailed to America and is commemorated by the Cabot Tower in Bristol , of which I have very fond memories]
Where glasses sit precisely (2,3,4)
Thread attaching fringes of lungi and shawl to back of cape (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
First and last letters [fringes] of LungI and ShawL + E [last letter of capE] I have less happy memories of the ghastly school stockings made from this thread
Shroud city featuring shrouds (5)
Islanders on Martinique not once seizing vessel (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Can [vessel] in [seized by] JAMAIS [French ‘never’ – like Crucible’s ‘Tours’, the other day, another clever change from ‘Nice’]
Snack, Spooner's filth of the filth? (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Spoonerism of COP PORN, filth being derogatory slang for the police
See 27
Compassion some weeks after conflict (6)
Some leaves to make cha? (7)
Like viruses having a rest, lying back inside maple (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Reversal [lying back] of A LULL [a rest] in ACER [maple]
Tidy, maintained without muck for a start (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
M[uck] in KEPT [maintained] I think I’ve only seen this word in its negative form, unkempt: Colliins says it’s a 20th century back formation – but also says it’s from the dialect [Chambers says Old English] ‘kemb’, to comb
See 25
15a
Fairy, perhaps, raised just over half a ton of cash to support tree strangled by branch (7-2,6)
Stop propaganda happening (7)
The wrong way for TV presenters to pour wine (6)
Down
Upper house covering little Australian paperwork (7)
Dog or worm is up an instrument (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Reversal [up] of RAT [dog or worm, metaphorically] + IS
No thanks to Garbo, Monroe wandering in space backstage (5,4)
Current king in approach to palace, scratching bottom (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
R [king] in THE MAL[l] [approach to {Buckingham} palace] minus the last letter
Curry from Lithuania? Not quite! (5)
Nation supporting lead player in Chad every so often (5,4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
I[n] C[h]A[d] supporting [in a down clue!] COSTAR [lead player] Please see jkb_ing @8 for a better parsing
Port, after lid removed, passed round the wrong way (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Reversal [the wrong way] of [p]ASSED + O [round]
Thug eating up junket for starters — it's coated in breadcrumbs (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
GOON [American hired thug] round [eating] first letters [starters] of Up Junket
Earth, say, on English sycamore (5,4)
Setter with water living on fruit (9)
Fool Oscar but not Wilde? (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Oscar is half the name of the wit, Oscar Wilde
Most painful? Then put your feet up (6)
Somewhere dangerous, exciting to see (3,4)
Rash appearing as potty put on head (6)
Contract required while in shelter (5)
26a
Old document, Reform Act (anagram) (5,5)
Type letters or click words in the clue