Across:
8 Shocked (AGHAST) by a (A-) middleman (middle ‘mAn’ = a) replacing order (o) for spirit (‘ghOst’ – replace ‘o’ with ‘a’ = -GHAST) (AGHAST),
9 Come (COM-E) across place (-PUT-) that’s right (-R) (COMPUTER) and PC (COMPUTER),
10 Verse from Inverness (‘verse’ from ‘inverness’ = inns = INNS) Lodges (INNS),
11 Authorisation (PERMISSION) to cut (k) benefit (‘perk’ with ‘k’ = PER-) for diplomat (-MISSION) (PERMISSION),
12 No toilets in petrol station (no ‘toilets’ in ‘petrol station’ = prtaon = PATRON) for the customer (PATRON),
14 Minister (CLERIC-) gets a (-A-) tip for lots (tip for ‘Lots’ = -L) (CLERICAL) of office work (CLERICAL),
15 Security threats (COMPUTER VIRUSES) to 9 across (‘computer’ = COMPUTER) and those responsible for shutdowns (VIRUSES) (COMPUTER VIRUSES),
18 Makes every effort (ATTEMPTS) to get top scorer (top ‘Scorer’ = -S) first (= position indicator) try (ATTEMPT-) (ATTEMPTS),
20 They release steam (-VENTS) after (= position indicator) trouble at foundation (‘troublE’ at foundation = E-) (EVENTS) and various incidents (EVENTS),
22 Control (GOVERN-) number of workers (-MEN-) initially threatened (initially ‘Threatened’ = -T) (GOVERNMENT) by those in administration? (GOVERNMENT),
24 Settles the bill (PAYS) for both sides at parting of the ways (both sides at ‘PArting of the waYS’ = PAYS),
25 Is more charming (PRETTIER) to finish off (y) lovely (‘pretty’ without ‘y’ = PRETT-) Irish domain (Ireland domain = .ie = -IE-) beside river (-R) (PRETTIER),
26 An intimate sort (FRIEND) of Russian leader (‘Russian’ leader = -R-) consumed by one of the devils (fiend = F-IEND) (FRIEND).
Down:
1 Schedule (AGENDA) for a (A-) short (t) man (‘gent’ without ‘t’= -GEN-) in the family (-DA) (AGENDA),
2 Poles (BARS) in both sides of baseball players (both sides of ‘BAseball playeRS’ = BARS),
3 Hurry up (STEP ON IT) and put your foot down (STEP ON IT),
4 Top, sweater (top ‘Sweater’ = S-) and mini (-CAR) (SCAR) makes a lasting impression (SCAR),
5 Raises hand to give out (cricket UMPIRE raises hand to indicate ‘out’) to referee (UMPIRE),
6 Replacement (SUBSTITUTE) comes from butchers (= anagram indicator) but it’s suet! (but its suet = SUBSTITUTE),
7 Last month (DEC-), old (-O-) judge (-RATE) (DECORATE) produced paper (paper = DECORATE),
13 Take umbrage (-RESENT-) surrounded by agents (agents/reps = REP-S) (REPRESENTS) for pictures (REPRESENTS),
14 Baker abandons backorders (‘baker’ abandons ‘backorders’ = cords = CORDS) – would they be for someone who wears the trousers? (CORDS),
16 Open space (OUTDOORS) in Oxford (O-) for Oscar (-O-) entering miserable (= anagram indicator) Tudor (Tudor = OUTD-R-) school (-S) (OUTDOORS),
17 Put a name to (IDENTIFY) model (= anagram indicator) fined (fined = IDEN-F-) over backcombing (= reversal indicator) it (it = -TI) onto ponytail? (‘ponY’ tail = -Y) (IDENTIFY),
19 Writer (PENCIL) gets stick for putting things down (PENCIL),
21 It’s not easy (TRYING) doing all one can (TRYING),
23 Ill-treated dismissing titled (‘ill-treated’ dismissing ‘titled’ = lrea = EARL) peer of the realm (EARL),
24 Settled account (PAID) with charity (-AID) after (= position indicator) pressure (P-) (PAID).