| Clues across |
| 1 | See the French torn or rent (5) |
| 4 | Try to have last word before start of the declaration (9) |
| 9 | Be obsequious and not so rough (7) |
| 10 | Eggs on about it, returning for applause (7) |
| 11 | “Understand the wind,” we’re told; “It’s coming towards the shore” (3,6) |
| 13 | Rely on seeing first sign of trouble – corrosion? (5) |
| 14 | Something to pull you up? Nothing there to fail, it’s said (6,5) |
| 16 | Priest seen in unreliable company (3) |
| 18 | Remove bride’s heart (3) |
| 20 | Tidings brought to characters in the form of club circulars (11) |
| 22 | Place for birds to rest in kangaroo’s territory (5) |
| 23 | Romans in sports arena exchange two leading characters for first of races – they lose their heat (9) |
| 25 | Samuel has a certain attitude about ancient country (7) |
| 26 | A monarch in the grip of a vice – covetousness (7) |
| 27 | Superior brain-power produced from processed lentil etc (9) |
| 28 | Part of joint goes round musical group (5) |
