Independent Cryptic #10953

2021-11-19

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Across

1a

Girl’s top not returned, keeping her initially in bikini bottom? (5)

4a

Vermin control that’s screwed some rat up? (9)

flowerflowerflower
9a

Inconstant figure favouring odd bits of them and us? (7)

10a

Positive source of guidance for defendant in court? (7)

11a

Read article covering Lord Byron’s daughter? (3)

12a

Medic, depressed, not initially dissipated (7)

13a

Damage in church associated with Rector, a ladies’ man? (7)

14a

Right source of milk keeping one looking more healthy? (7)

15a

Star taking a number of games in decline (6)

18a

One who grows very much, only to be reduced by 50% (6)

20a

Marines in a group of musicians displaying part of insignia? (7)

23a

Source of bronchial problems? Special doctor attending monarch (7)

25a

Disorder about marine creature disposing of a shellfish (7)

27a

A contributor to order, whichever way you look at it (3)

28a

Expert standing beside a large old member of cattle family (7)

29a

Wild former lover mentioned in documents? (7)

flowerflowerflower
30a

New recruits I sent out to hold line - observe, in retreat (9)

31a

Daring to give up power? That’s fortuitous (5)

Down

1d

Cool online talks with very good content (5)

2d

Grandiloquent end to portico, red and German (7)

3d

Enthusiasm after good stink from ancient incendiary weapon (5,4)

4d

Hating men putting quartz grains in boggy surroundings (8)

5d

A French team prepare for a hotel stay? (6)

6d

Chaps in A&E turning up for medical treatment (5)

7d

Operatic hero: African prince embracing woman (7)

8d

Came to an end, holed, leaking fluorine (9)

14d

Official worth employing? That can be denied (9)

16d

Not able to carry a tune? That could be calumnious, nothing less (9)

17d

US state confusion interrupted by new sense of order (8)

19d

Four, upset about expression of meditation, left - leaving probably enough people (7)

21d

Account about start of month unlikely to decay (7)

22d

Disregard anger about navy entering game (6)

24d

More than one religious figure is enthralling mother (5)

26d

Like a bath? Some of day’s dust to be lifted (5)