CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Changed modus operandi and failed to protect single female (8) 5 Punched, as criminal might be (6) 9 Government intended to dismiss a financial report? (9) 11 In favour of wearing an item of protective clothing (5) 12 Approximately nothing for a country (6) 13 Teapots damaged with hole in – they could be chipped (8) 15 Support PM at once with manic reforms (13) 18 Cross-country running finally leaving Nina tolerating exercising (13) 22 First novel (8) 23 Race to tee off before work (6) 26 Head working and working to take over Independent (5) 27 Get rid of characters in hotel – I’m in a temper (9) 28 Observe religious education with biblical book (6) 29 Handlers of matches concerned with fire – see rioting after one’s dropped (8)

DOWN

1 One blowing their own trumpet? (8) 2 Doctor at home following adult’s bleed (5) 3 Delivery at no charge does often matter initially (7) 4 Flat race possibly unfinished (4) 6 A Parisian welcoming a fight in the dark (7) 7 Often got upset about king left behind (9) 8 Is husband following desperate character to get pastry? (6) 10 Very hot drink picked up – I cry out, almost (8) 14 Horror film includes a good trap? (8) 16 Opinions stick (9) 17 Fast boats caught by ripples at sea (8) 19 Pub in the right to get less stout (7) 20 Picture that is about mother on alcohol (7) 21 Integrity from working within specific time (6) 24 Holiday? Pack one’s bags (5) 25 Awful person staining cloth, by the sound of it (4)