Blog explanations available at 10pm on the day of publication
Across:
1 Shed tears (C-RY) over that Lady (-HER-) (CHERRY) in Red? (CHERRY),
4 Campaigned (AGITATED) with a (A-) soldier (-GI-) from leaderless (s) country (“state” without “s” = -TATE-) for diamonds (-D) (AGITATED),
9 For historical types (EVENTS) there’s no harm in harvestmen (no “harm” in “harvestmen” = vesten = EVENTS),
10 Ned Eliot (Ned Eliot = DELETION) played (= anagram indicator) with Erasure (DELETION),
12 Cons (convicts/cons = PRISONERS) those behind a number of bars (PRISONERS),
13 One (I-) judge (-RATE) (IRATE) is foaming at the mouth (IRATE),
14 Small (S-) gin (gin = -IGN) cocktail (= anagram indicator) with Oscar (O-) Faraday (“faraday” electric charge = -F) in exotic (= anagram indicator) garden (garden = DANGER) (SIGN OF DANGER) doesn’t bode well (SIGN OF DANGER),
18 Going hell for leather (FLYING) with 19 down (“SAUCER”) (FLYING SAUCER) transporting aliens (FLYING SAUCER),
21 It’s inevitable without event (it’s “inevitable” without “event” = iiabl = ALIBI) synonymous with cover story (ALIBI),
22 Resting places (TOMBS) by pitch (-TONE) (TOMBSTONE) for those names no longer in the game perhaps (TOMBSTONE),
24 Relax (chill) – short (l) (“chill” without “l” = CHIL-) stories (-LIES) (CHILLIES) from The Pod sound cold but are actually very hot (CHILLIES),
25 Golfer’s (Golfing Union of Ireland = GUI-) well-kept (neat) for the most part (t) (“neat’” without “t” = -NEA) (GUINEA) in Africa (GUINEA),
26 Have another look at (REASSESS) most of (l) the actual (“real” without “l” = REA-) engineering (-E-) found in two ships (SS-SS) (REASSESS),
27 They’re expected to keep watch (PATROL) from transport (= anagram indicator) portal (portal = PATROL).
Down:
1 The best option for the accountant (CHEAPEST) in The Cape’s (the capes = CHEAPEST) organisation (= anagram indicator),
2 Lead valve (lead/first “valve” = -V-) in new (= anagram indicator) engines (engines = E-ENINGS) EVENINGS) – at times like these one wants to retire (EVENINGS),
3 A riot (a riot = RATIO) developed (= anagram indicator) out of proportion (RATIO),
5 Wondering who will win the next election, for example? (GUESSING GAME) At The Party they play such charades! (Charades is a GUESSING GAME),
6 Offered work to old projectionist (THE CINEMA) – that must have been a moving experience perhaps? (THE CINEMA),
7 From the start, barrister (from the start “barrister” = -B-) in court case (TRI-AL) (TRIBAL) is sticking with his own lot (TRIBAL),
8 Finishes 14 across (finishes “sign of danger” = DANGER) in security? (insecurity = DANGER),
11 Runs the school (HEADMISTRESS) in Schull (“schull = “skull” = HEAD-) – they say (= homophone indicator) for the other woman (-MISTRESS) (HEADMISTRESS),
15 Well-covered areas (well covered areas = OILFIELDS) of Idol’s file (idol’s file = OILFIELDS) in circulation (= anagram indicator),
16 Is capable of holdings one’s beer (SCHOONER glass) leaving The Marina perhaps (SCHOONER),
17 Rapid decline (FREE FALL) of Independent (FREE) initially frustrating (initially “frustrating” = F-) to everyone (-ALL) (FREE FALL),
19 Part of the service (SAUCER) that has long been associated with The Cup (SAUCER),
20 No art in satirical (no “art” in “satirical” = siical = SILICA) piece coming from The Stones perhaps (SILICA),
23 Litterer removed from battle cruiser (“litterer” removed from “battle cruiser” = bacus = SCUBA) is in deep water (SCUBA).