Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Thanks Prospero, I had meant to write Doc aka Maskarade as he would be better know to Guardian solvers that way.

I’ll be sure to comment on the blog. So far I think I’m the only commenter (as Jay) on the Speccie blogs. Hopefully they will gain traction as I’m sure a lot of work goes in to them.

Apologies for taking this thread slightly off-topic.

Oh lord, I give up. I have struggled almost to the end but 1, 2 and 9 have defeated me, as have 19 and the Spooner. Do I need UK GK for 9 - I know nothing about Farage! Any help appreciated.

Yes, 2d is a UK specific reference. If you have heard of F****e, what is his primary obsession?
9 isn't British!
The Spooner is particularly poor, I thought.

There’s a story, given credence by the Times, that Farage was once served by a lady in the House of Commons bar wearing a name badge that read 2d. This may or may not be true.

1d parses as 3,3. Defn. "Premier League team"

I thought his primary obsession was himself, ChrisE, so that doesn't get me much further, sorry! Pehaps a gentle hint about 1a? I have 2 possible cities, unless I'm on the wrong track completely!

10ac definition "completely changed". Parses as 1 inserted in (3,2,3)

1a the city is a 2-letter UK abbrev common in cryptics.

I wasn't keen on "partly depleted" in 1a.

13 d definition "lecture". Parses as (1 inside 2) followed by (an 8-letter word with a letter removed).