Across
Face up to Tony in desperation keeping money – I don’t like it (3,2,3,2,3)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
M in (FACE UP TO TONY)*
Old African’s letter to boys (9)
In retrospect, a mistake defending FA’s language (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Reverse of OG (own goal, a “mistake defending”) + NIL (FA – slang for nothing)
Former Chancellor’s usual way of doing things (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
MORE’S (Sir Thomas More, Lord High Chancellor of England under Henry VIII)
‘Quiet!’ Hard to handle French nurse in pub in capital (5,4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
P (quiet) + H[ard] + NOM (French name, handle) + EN (nurse) in PH (Public House)
Mean to declare how long you’ve been here (7)
Bottom of river is experimental site (4,3)
I don’t know Vlad’s voice (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
PASS (I don’t know) + I’VE (Vlad’s)
You shouldn’t slip on these (4-3)
Relaxing wear for Hawaii? Of course (9)
Assuming one’s a little backbone (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Reverse of A BIT “assuming” or taking in I, with a lift-and-separate for back/bone
Cheats to get flat (5)
The Pope’s a Pole – look back with upright catholic (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
A POST (pole) + reverse of LO (look) + I (upright letter) + C[atholic]. The definition includes the apostrophe+S, meaning “of the pope”
Joke – of kind – sees Trump getting irritated? (9,4)
Down
Rarely used loos round side though seemingly hygienic (9)
Joins baseball team touring East (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
E in METS (New York baseball team)
Tradesman’s shop (7)
Seed having nightmare on green, Spooner reported (4,3)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Spoonerism of “nine putt”, which would be a nightmare for a golfer
Sick of glamour oddly peculiar to some of Dylan’s work (4,5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Anagram SICK OF + alternate letters of gLaMoUr – surely some mistake, as these are the even letters
Before being put outside, turned up in drawer initially (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Reverse of IN in ERE – ERNIE (Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment) was the original computer used to draw Premium Bond numbers, the the name is still used
Less people from school joining force – they won’t like it (7,6)
Hated escorting right away: unfortunate but don’t give up too soon! (2,3,8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Anagram of HATED ESCORTING less R
‘O Claudius’ is wrong? That’s harsh (9)
Woodland residents keeping alert in Chelsea? (9)
Stone me! Romeo in wood ignoring women (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
ME + R[omeo] in WEALD (wooded country) less W
Give up on sad song (3,4)
Spiritual sustenance Duke’s lacking (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
DINNER less D
Cat round Egypt raised as sacred object (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Reverse of ET (former International Vehicle Registration code for Egypt – it changed to EG in 2024) in TOM
Type letters or click words in the clue