Across:
8 Time (-T) in custody (CAR-E-) linked initially (initially ‘linked’ = -L) (CARTEL) to illegal monopoly (monopoly = CARTEL),
9 Provides new space (REHOUSES) for her (her = REH-) rebellious (= reversal indicator) circle (-O-) at functions (-USES) (REHOUSES),
10 Passing mention (OBIT) of botanist missing ants (‘botanist’ missing ‘ants’ = boti = OBIT),
11 To help out (CONTRIBUTE) criminal (CON-) with expression of praise in statement (-TRIBUTE) (CONTRIBUTE),
12 Pain in the neck (HASSLE) has (HAS-) initial symptoms (initial ‘symptoms’ = -S-) associated with central skeleton (central ‘skeleton’ = -LE) (HASSLE),
14 Cook (= anagram indicator) a broth (a broth = BATHRO-) from Belgium (-BE) (BATHROBE) – it’s exactly what you want to heat you up after a shower (BATHROBE),
15 Neither on the right or left (MIDDLE OF THE ROAD) of where you’d expect to find the white line (white line is in MIDDLE OF THE ROAD),
18 Spoiled (OFF-) scene (scene = -ENCES) trading (= anagram indicator) (OFFENCES) insults (OFFENCES),
20 Toffee (toffee = TEE OFF) fudge? (= anagram indicator) Of course, it’s only for starters! (TEE OFF),
22 Leave old mate behind (DRIFT APART) in row (-RIFT-) with father (PA = AP-) coming back (= reversal indicator) in public transport (D-ART) (DRIFT APART),
24 Be on the lookout for (SEEK) rap coming out of speaker (‘rap’ coming out of ‘speaker’ = SEEK),
25 Fiddle (CON-) documents pertaining to educational achievements (-CERTS) (CONCERTS) produced in Department of Music (CONCERTS),
26 Hesitantly drops this (‘hesitantly’ drops ‘this’ = etanly = NEATLY) in an orderly fashion! (NEATLY).
Down:
1 Sheepish type (LAMB-) in the family (-DA) (LAMBDA) gets letter from Greece (11th Greek letter = LAMBDA),
2 Meant to leave statement (‘meant’ to leave ‘statement’ = stte = STET) and let it stand as it was (ignore marked correction = STET),
3 One of those things the boxer might give (BLACK EYE) comes as a blow (BLACK EYE),
4 One of the boys (WREN boys) or one of the birds? (WREN),
5 Globe missing from strobe light? (‘globe’ missing from ‘strobe light’ = striht = THIRST) Find a solution to that problem at the bar! (THIRST),
6 Pat (RUB-), Bert (Bert = BER T-) and Holly (tree) losing the head (t) (‘tree’ losing the head = -REE) (RUBBER TREE) with latex producer (RUBBER TREE),
7 Brave (brave = VE-BRA) developer (= anagram indicator) covers station (-RTE-) (VERTEBRA) with important segment of column (VERTEBRA),
13 The trouble with Charlie (the trouble with Charlie/ cocaine = SIDE EFFECT) having a drug problem perhaps (SIDE EFFECT of drug/drug problem perhaps),
14 They know all about the scenes (film BUFFS) with Sandy and Fawn? (sandy + fawn = colours/ beiges / BUFFS),
16 Workout (work out/reason = INFE-R) around South American city (-RIO-) (INFERIOR) leaves much to be desired (INFERIOR),
17 Holds the night cap perhaps (nightcap on HATSTAND) for bowler (HAT-) at the side of the pitch (-STAND) (HATSTAND),
19 Meeting leaders perhaps (CHAIRS lead meetings) misrepresented (= anagram indicator) as rich (as rich = CHAIRS),
21 Lass left fearlessly (‘lass’ left ‘fearlessly’ = ferely = FREELY) without being forced (FREELY),
23 Not to mention (ALSO) characters in social society (characters in ‘social society’ = ALSO),
24 Card game (SNAP) in Split (split/break = SNAP).