Independent Cryptic #11593

2023-12-07

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Across

1a

Competent assistant cuts wire (7)

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5a

Witch costume for TV returned looking the worse for wear (7)

9a
26a

(and 26 Across) Working tea lady with apron on can't play (6,3,9)

10a

Injection treatment partly using same needles in recession (5)

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11a

Mini in street brought to suit couple (11)

13a

From behind, Juan's very tasty! (3)

14a

Fellow leaves first of two shellfish (5)

16a

Jazz musician possibly bitter accepting work in oil company (8)

18a

On short rations as commanded by Iron Duke (8)

19a

Deliveries trainee's left in full view (5)

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21a

Old Russian satellite turns in outermost circle (3)

22a

Answer magazine's boss gives prematurely (5,2,4)

25a

Sound chirpy pretty close to defeat (5)

26a

See 9 Across

28a

Whip near Keir regularly is party manager (7)

29a

Employer of Bob Marley visits (7)

Down

1d

Hot wash runs after cold programme (4,4)

2d

French film company of course European (5)

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3d

Rabbit that's divided for burger (3)

4d

Earth dead? Cheer up (5)

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5d

US lawyer uncovered case of youth uprising in state capital (9)

6d

Gross affluence meets demonstration stopping oil (11)

7d

Gas surprisingly clean yet ultimately non-renewable (9)

8d

How awful finding limb in river (4,2)

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12d

Article captain holds on sailing ship (5-6)

15d

Tiny male spider, say, causing hiatus at concert (5,4)

16d

Train service runs after strike, more or less (6,3)

17d

See great changes in cheap accommodation (8)

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20d

Perishing with convulsive twitch after electrical discharge (6)

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23d

Leaving university, compulsion becomes habit (5)

24d

Lead in paint Rothko has absorbed (5)

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27d

A year ending in December is what you'd expect (3)