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Yevrah, in 23a, 'Sporting' is an anagram indicator. The answer is the title of a novel.

Hi Yevrah

23a is an anagram of two words in the clue + an initial letter. The author is better known for poetry

re 1a, the concensus is that the clue is there in error and was intended to be re-written. The solution is what is now 22d but that clashes with 1d

Thanks Geting. I've been thinking I must be going crazy re 1a. Pretty slapdash of The Observer to publish it without checking.
Here's my contribution of a clue that would actually fit the grid:
Republican, Unionist politician is an arse

Thanks. I had just worked out from posts the disquiet about 1a. Annoying.

As for 23a. I'll keep searching but mostly only finding Bryan Ferry's old flame.

Thanks.

New/replacement clue for 1A had been issued.

Starters of rancid octopus given to Everyman in city on the Tiber (4)

https://tinyurl.com/jonoEveryman4148

Thanks.

Sorted out 1a.

And now got 23a.

Will use success of completing this to help me get over the 95th minute equaliser yesterday.

Have a good day.

Love it phil10000 - made me laugh!
The anagram of 23a is a rather tortuous joining of disparate words and letters - I really only spotted it after I'd guessed the answer from the bowels of my memory.
Not finished yet - time now to press on with the day then come back to it later.

All finished but 19d unparsed. The def seems clear and I can get the last four letters from the second word in the clue but where do the first 3 letters come from?

I thought this was a bit trickier than usual but all good fun.

Justsolve, think hair.

Thanks Jono, SO obvious now you point it out!