The unclued lights are broadly of a kind (33 differs from the others, though 33K would have been more appropriate, if it fitted in!). Each one Across can somehow be paired with a Down one. Elsewhere, ignore one accent.
Across
4 Reacting slowly, having felled lime-tree with ease, almost (11, hyphened)
11 Lizards from Asia – gnu involved (7)
12 Indian nationalist heading for reform without English involvement (6)
14 Roman soldier covering a great distance (5)
16 These rain-clouds aren’t on my premises, I say (5)
19 Oarsmen’s strips (7)
21 Small key rented out timelessly (4)
24 And others making a long-delayed return (4, two words)
25 Ice-creams waves (7)
31 Land-owner tailed flashy Aussie (4)
32 Associate taking ecstasy for staff member (7)
35 Prince with Johns causes an outcry (7)
37 Love poetry in France exchanged on the left-hand page (5)
40 You would have found me hoarding one shilling. Right! (5)
41 Eccentric handwriting (9)
43 Aluminium ore extracted from Bayeux – it’s not unknown (7)
44 Deserving credit for Berlin posse running riot (11)
Down
1 Bat or reptile slip awkwardly (11)
2 Rodent giving a disease of the joints to one (6)
3 Panellist 21 is on the radio (5)
5 This month in Westminster (4)
7 Excellent primary (7)
8 Reprimand – hit – hit with a stick, endlessly (7)
10 Old record the woman will get on account (7)
15 Coils over bobbin (5)
18 Confident, fearless, involved with endless lather (11, hyphened)
20 German prince who may place his cross (7)
22 36 cut veils for cheerful fellows (9)
26 Fish was off (5)
27 Open to non-professionals – socialite not to bother (7)
29 Secret stores of holy remains? (7)
36 Telescope dispenser (5)
38 Sour-tempered chap removes regular bits of carnauba (4)
39 Name spoken over the baby’s head (4)
A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 20 January. There are two runners-up prizes of £20 (or, for UK solvers, the latest edition of The Chambers Dictionary — ring the word ‘Dictionary’). Entries to: Crossword 2143, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.
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