Guardian Cryptic #28316

2020-12-14

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Across

1a

Lovers of the phonetic alphabet (5,3,6)

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8a

Not hearing about cold drink (5)

9a

Cliffhanging sort of account? (8)

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11a

Finally arrived, but out of contention (7)

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12a

We must hold girl back at first, potential starlet (7)

13a

Raise one in army (5)

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15a

Object about ill-considered heavy defeat (9)

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17a

The dafter sort of sitcom? (6,3)

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20a

Already told not to delay purchase (2,3)

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21a

Care had to be exercised in this absurd pretence (7)

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23a

Italian team keeping on leader of chant (7)

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25a

Mark that may be one over the 8? (8)

26a

Russian author left by such an erotic dancer (5)

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27a

Our narrow separation from the EU (7,2,5)

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Down

1d

Frenetic head, storming around, looks like this? (3,2,3,4)

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2d

Parrot beginning to make a sound like a crow (5)

3d

Misaligned, hence moved to No 1 court? (3-6)

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4d

Surprisingly won seat, Labour not being involved (2,5)

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5d

Military doctrine, merely crude when raised (4,3)

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6d

One twice disturbs Len in this relaxing morning (3-2)

7d

Korean, for one, eats cooking by a Welsh girl (4,5)

10d

Tweeter reviewed brewed lagers (5,7)

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14d

On the way, carried by Ford? (2,7)

16d

Clog (old) deliberately ruined (9)

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18d

Poet's title so unusual (1,1,5)

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19d

Doctor to consume fluid and toast (5,2)

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22d

Some virtual example of personal assistant (5)

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24d

Never ever green, even vaguely? That's primarily desert (5)

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