December Puzzles and Solutions

Across

• 1 A favour that came deservedly from another (4,4)
• 5 Tease cranky lad for being foul-mouthed (6)
• 9 Opponents reportedly flung and put in place (8)
• 10 One who takes international to eminence (6)
• 12 No good to live badly (4)
• 13 A man of religion, he gets involved in a looting gone awry (10)
• 15 Greek character’s vulgar plagiarism (6)
• 17 Be in position to just about receive a loyal subject (5)
• 20 Olivia threw out one broken instrument (5)
• 21 Bribe journalist or chief newsman (6)
• 24 Sir’s shaken by violence of an aspect of a jaunty ship (10)
• 27 Lessen cricketer’s rage at last (4)
• 29 Torment doesn’t begin - that is a relation (6)
• 30 Prime Minister strides over everyone - everyone - in London’s fashionable area (4,4)
• 31 Team leader, sexually excited, is difficult (6)
• 32 Paying for lodging (8)

Down

• 1 Old man’s warm spring mentioned (6)
• 2 Secure in boat that’s tossing (6)
• 3 Beginner with list is Alpine native (4)
• 4 Hurried to church estate (5)
• 6 I would take a couple of houses in US State (5)
• 7 Won a game? Capital, boy! (8)
• 8 Insane matriarch has girl pushed down indeed (8)
• 11 Cry, mob destroyed flat-topped flower cluster (6)
• 14 Detective when on the rise in Italian city (4)
• 16 Sailor fired away (6)
• 17 Apprentice on ship to have fun (4)
• 18 Accomplished actors threatening (8)
• 19 Toilet stuck at rear, not one moving to investigate (4,4)
• 22 Footloose girl back with French friend for sausage (6)
• 23 Black convict’s fatigue after long flight (3,3)
• 25 Leader’s going up to tackle key issue (5)
• 26 Haphazard races cause alarm (5)
• 28 Sexy walk! The woman is out to show skirt opening (4)