The unclued lights (including one pair) form three groups, each linked to thematic keywords in different ways.
Across
3 With audit team, I’ve reassessed weariness of life (7,5)
10 French studio had remainer? (7)
13 Admitted Church pupil initially played outside (8)
16 Bait ram that is held inside (5)
18 Dutch island, an impediment to America (5)
22 Young boy lurking in Portadown (3)
24 Bits of Whitechapel ham salad sandwiches (7)
26 Detective force surround ‘Blinder’? (7)
28 Worm damaging air-sacs (7)
30 Scottish ball with soul is something sweet (4)
32 Poor Muse ruined poetic lights (7)
33 Shipping order with special appeal (3)
35 Energy company left in the middle (9)
37 Broadcast of races bristles (5)
40 Stores stop short pay (8)
41 Car sickness in Paris is negligible (7)
42 Cure-all basin one advanced (7)
43 Dish locally eaten in the manner of a pike (12)
Down
1 Small soldier said to keep watch for boxer, say (12)
2 United sing over French artist (7)
4 Thriller perhaps, nearly everyone behind (5)
5 For fairness, clemency limits follow judge discounting rule (7)
6 Addict’s trick cycling (4)
7 Endlessly energetic girl holds good light source (4,5)
8 It’s still found in the finer things (5)
12 Non-combatants, perhaps, crashed Renaults (8)
14 Jack’s chart is preposterous (3)
15 Economic programme damage will aim for (8,4)
20 Complete line of battle in advance (7)
21 Check cell in ancient city (8)
23 Affected moods seem to produce thick skin? (9)
29 Poet’s to beg for his local to stand a drink (7)
36 Islamic poet turns party with personal life-force (5)
38 Decline the chase of a whale (4)
A first prize of £30 and two runners-up prizes of £20 for the first correct solutions opened on 22 September. Please scan or photograph entries and email them (including the crossword number in the subject field) to crosswords@spectator.co.uk, or post to: Crossword 2719, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.
Download a printable version here.
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