Across
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1
Animal research facility upset about mating period (6)
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5
‘Empty’ chap wanting helping, that’s Twist (8)
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9
To be established, turn up with Vernon (8)
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10
Tense, out of practice – but reliable (6)
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11
Maybe New Zealand native dancing is as natural as giving up sex at first! (12)
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13
See 18
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14
Rock movement: country music, essentially, with edge (8)
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17
Cutlery, unless it’s ground? (8)
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18, 13
Circus feature draw: access to drink (4,4)
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20
Working on research into Old English? The others don’t stand a chance! (3-5,4)
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23
Road constructed by one-time expert (6)
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24
Round off Fed double cryptic puzzle (8)
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25
Elected politician recruits man on paper (2,6)
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26
Time to import grass bloomers (6)
Down
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2
Gross author, not popular (4)
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3
Urinal fitted with tap cover (9)
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4
Liberal whip, very independent at heart (6)
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5
Military leader on rig forms part of UN (7,8)
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6
Strikingly good non-stop chatter (8)
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7
In effect, Russia’s ex-leader (5)
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8
One not in need of a bed is not to be considered long-suffering (3-7)
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12
English town chasing crime boss (10)
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15
County almost meets terrible end – right to give up (9)
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16
New title has nothing about British book (8)
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19
Package covering very loud sound restrictor (6)
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21
I’m surprised about church procuring prohibited drink (5)
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22
Small parcel opening (4)
