Across
1
Essayist beginning to draft a letter (6)
4
Bishop blessing one at the pet service? (6)
9
Fighter going by Circle Line (4)
10
One maybe looking at club’s IT device (4,6)
11
Some of the French are about to be eliminated (6)
12
Fluctuations in very small silver sign (8)
13
Repeated prohibition is applied to male for bad behaviour (9)
15
First appearance not top-class – a liability! (4)
16
My children’s hospital initially (4)
17
After company banquet maybe I have livened up (4,5)
21
18? Peace is truncated by one that’s sacked Gaul (8)
22
Servant absorbing scripture – one laps it up? (6)
24
Dad taking coloured liquid with hesitation, swallowing bad medicine? (10)
25
German composer’s last quartet – it contains some hot stuff? (4)
26
Checks car, needing test regularly (6)
27
Female, just a grotesque person? (6)
Down
1
In carnival, a certain group of stars (7)
2
Comes across certain foods in broadcast (5)
3
Grass turns up to be probed by detectives – that settles things (7)
5
Capital city surmounted by gold stars (6)
6
Flight path keeps going round it (9)
7
Time after time goddess of youth’s No. 1 (3,4)
8
Supporting friend taking hold of the dream for now (13)
14
Somehow strengthened, a bed is not falling apart (9)
16
City girl trailing after family member (7)
18
Rome is transformed with introduction of a dictator? (7)
19
Least clear, opposing a visiting speaker maybe (7)
23
It’s hot in Pacific location – you must discard a bit of clothing (5)