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i have just completed this crossword and would like someone to confirm the significance of the word "Dicky" which appears from time to time in Private Eye crosswords. For example I think the answer to 16 down - Dicky sat on stopper - criminal (8) is offences with the fence being a stopper and offences being criminal. Can someone clarify Dicky ?

dicky = off

The answer seems to be offender (off ender)

Ah thank you

Alvin, not sure your question was answered to your satisfaction. "Dicky" infers off-colour, not well, sick etc - hence "off", hope that adds clarity.

Now if someone could help me with 7 across I would be most grateful.
Labour party faction wants leader's debut broadcast to be in short, easily assimilated segments.
????r?t?s
(In my defence, it is just 4 clues in this top LH section which are defeating me - otherwise I have solved the whole thing)
The answer which jumps out at me is Blairites, clearly a LP faction; but I can't see how it works with the rest of the clue.
If Blairites is wrong, please tell me so; don't give me the answer, I shall work harder to figure it out. Thanks

L - leader's debut, first letter
Air = broadcast
Bites, short easily assimilated segments.

B l air ites.

Thanks Malone, JT

JohnT, glad I could help. I didn't bother with the parsing when I did the puzzle, I just bunged in the answer!

Last one...28A "Society Family,pissed and very clinging" (4-5)
Many thanks

S, society, Kin,family = Tight, pissed... Skin-Tight, very clingy.