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Hi Roof,

4a - definition is "error" and it's a 3 letter word meaning "I hate that" repeated.

17a - 2 letter "popular" then 5 letter "ceasefire" goes around a reversed/'from the right' 2 letter "party"

22a - 2 letter "Roman figure" and 4 letter "leader" - if you convert the the numeral to English and put it before "pack" you get "muscly"

2d - 6 letter "fluff" as in 'mess up' minus single letter "unspecified quantity"

16,17 - 2,2,2 was a 24,9 winner (I think) an entry anyway, followed by "end not beginning"

Is there a 4a in 11a? Very rare from Paul if so, but I feel we need a 'sounds like' element in the clue to allow this spelling for the definition?

Lurker @62
Technically you are correct, but it's one of those where (mis)usage has resulted in the meaning migrating.

Re 22a
Whenever I hear the term I always think:
Not so much a "muscly pack" more a Party Seven.

Party 7, that brings back memories 😉

Read all observationa with great interest. Saw no reference to 1d! Which has me perplexed! I think I know it but can't fully parse. Any hints appreciated plse.

judyg
It's the name for a type of sherry. The word translates from Italian to English as "loving". Slightly unfair not to have a foreign language indicator.

Just got it before I read your post thanks and now for the rest of it! Enjoying the challenge

All done except 1a (to my shame,) as it would appear no one else struggled with it!

A hint would be great 👍

Hi again judy
The definition is the first part. "Voided country's backing group" is the wordplay. The group is thematic.