Across
1
Form being praised after reversal, sharp turn (6)
5
Might contractor pen records? (6)
8
Retina operated upon after I will find sloth (7)
9
Dark, dark colour, one lining bag (7)
11
High street trader is worker in Liverpool, say, son into urban music (4,3,4,4)
12
18 across, where soft touches rejected (4)
13
Apology appropriate after whoopsie lands on King Charles’ head (4,6)
17
Tool for mincing beef (3,2,5)
18
Principal made redundant in awkward dispute (4)
20
A steadying hand I supply now (2,4,3,3,3)
23
Get a hack to dictate for author (7)
24
Whippersnapper committed perjury, it’s understood (7)
25
Cross with leader on breaking free after evacuation of Hungary (6)
26
Barrel loaded by negative force – taking down various characters? (6)
Down
2
Embroider no more, say (9)
3
Able to kill, all with the motive (6)
4
God takes rat run, cycling in Giro d’Italia, say (5,4)
5
Painter of fantastic scenes, with my eye by my ear? (5)
6
South American hothead in bed, attention-seeker embracing peace (8)
8
Where emergency service building would have Irish plague? (11)
14
Slippery surface tricky ultimately, delicate drop shot lousy (5-4)
15
Worshipper, nun after conversion welcoming it with song (9)
16
Paul, for example, the thief of time? (8)
19
Smart – as a crocodile? (6)
21
Sticker alongside that might be silver (5)
22
Is it a spelling book? (5,11)