Across
8
Reject hard line taken in deal (5,3)
9
Guide well short of capital (5)
10
Expensive footballer, a fair whack? (4,7)
11
Members affected by this blow, a thousand perceived the wrong way (5,5)
12
Beat meat, just cut (6)
14
A suspicious device packed with explosive gas carried out (8)
15
Money once invested in extreme elements of execrable school (7)
20
Honeysuckle left suspended, getting half of rain (8)
22
Effin' Jeffrey Archer novel? (4,2,3,5)
23
Parting words making Oates laugh (5,5)
24
Piece: one nailed by fiddle (4)
25
Cotton reels I lost, some rolling over (5)
26
Love poem about heart in euphoria, might Oxford get into it? (8)
Down
1
Finch finally back with swallows in country (8)
2
Gravy: cook put a sock in it (4)
4
Affected country, one sat upon (7)
5
Money stolen, lead fired (8)
6
Light fluffy rice inspiring old maestro (10)
7
Current activity that's unproblematic (6)
18
Buttonholing doctor, notice awfully sad face? (8)
19
Showman: Tory wet repelled by one (7,10)
21
Old people welcoming end of political authority (6)
24
Beauty bedding a fit provider of social service (10)