In each of eleven clues the definition part contains a superfluous letter. These letters, in clue order, spell a three-word phrase. Clues in italics consist of cryptic indications of partial answers; in each case, the indicated part must do as stated by the phrase to create the full answer to be entered in the grid. Definitions of resulting entries are supplied by the remaining unclued lights. Elsewhere, ignore an accent.
Across
1 Pieces of news I sift (5)
4 Dance cut out, not unknown, to protect bones (9)
10 A denial in confusion
11 Judge, with conclusion brought forward, speaks impertinently (6)
14 One in present missing old player (5)
15 Champ not completely free from league (5)
16 Lines great king retracted in order to return (6)
22 Psychic power in trick greeting composer (8)
23 Poet satisfied with profit? Not good (7)
24 Game involving new ring (4)
25 Tory group turning tense (4)
27 Division of county made by arbiter following inclination (7)
29 Define broadcast on beacon (8)
32 Walker for all to see cutting flower by river (6)
34 Bedbug from floor in club (5, two words)
35 Delude helper, penning verse with love (5)
36 Are cheats securing university entrances? (7)
37 Ridge company cross, bearing east (6)
38 Flee wrecked ship
39 Stirred up, so cheer oratory (9)
40 Rotund earl after grub (5)
Down
2 Rant, having fired one shell (5)
4 Being on isle, prepared stores in pits (7)
5 Turn out scientific body
6 Most surely provided united support (7)
7 Soul among great many (5)
8 Sister covering vessel that is less polished (9)
13 Flitter about in agitated state, then run (7)
15 Feast disrupted by pest, not a hoot (6)
17 Female, beginning to cry, sorry?
18 Begin a quarrel in Greece, dividing mature saints (7)
19 American rising in charge
21 Loner following one in fog (6)
26 Bird in nest in a mound (7)
28 Rear admiral’s first rule at sea, keeping in command (7)
30 I agree over supporting son in projects (6, two words)
31 Wanderers used to be filled with uncertainty (5)
33 Cross airman stopping alien event (5)
34 Cairn terrier’s ending in roll (4)
A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 2 June. There are two runners-up prizes of £20. (UK solvers can choose to receive the latest edition of the Chambers Dictionary instead of cash— ring the word ‘Dictionary’.) Entries to: Crossword 2162, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.
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