Across
8
Crumbling bone found in barrow (8)
9
Bombast of husband provoked a riot (3,3)
10
Some assume owls sound like cats (4)
11
Grasp twisted hempen cord (10)
12
Wish father to follow leads of distinguished elite (6)
14
Caution ex-PM, cycling on motorway in front of Tesla (8)
15
Head of Anatomy Department eviscerated lamprey with skill (7)
17
Singing and strip poker after strong drink knocked back (7)
20
Rubber blanket reused interminably (8)
22
Poet in squalid room without alcohol (6)
23
Result of shaving beard off a furry animal (10)
24
Retrospective benefit for apprentice (4)
25
Bears almost killed badger (6)
26
Dismantled esoteric cabals (8)
Down
1
Idiot born with a certain effervescence (8)
2
Struggle with belief (4)
3
Strength of mollusc escaping trap (6)
4
European lady taking mum’s pulse (7)
5
Allure of pharmacist dancing naked (8)
6
Ignoring pressure, Pat Cash prepared for action (2,3,5)
7
Aims to support motor racing addicts (6)
13
Filling one’s head with nonsense and mischief (10)
16
Hilarity left child with face flushed (8)
18
Hearing vital flame is faint (4,4)
19
Gentle, quivering embraces start to compensate for inattention (7)
21
Retreat in silence, following alpha male on farm (6)
22
Want touch of romance in the end (6)
24
Emperor amid Eddystone Rocks (4)