The unclued lights are of a kind. One of them consists of two separate theme-words juxta-posed: one is of two words and two have to be paired. The letters in the red squares spell another theme-word and the letters in the yellowsquares can be arranged to form yet another (two-word) theme word.
Across
1 Realise she can be awkward (6)
11 Pedro’s ‘See you later’ makes Oates laugh (5,5)
14 Bravo, gents, maybe May’s first flower (5)
18 Sky lad mixed polyester resins (6)
19 Bristle at small letter (4)
22 38 with mould in relief (6)
24 Obtain oil that’s for cooking the chop? (9)
25 European birds in the housetops? (5)
26 Less convincing Debussy composition (2,3)
28 Will on trial around 10 a.m. (9)
30 One quarrelling with some unpopular guerrilla (6)
33 Lamb’s father ate duck on ramble (4)
36 Possibly seated and quite composed (6)
39 Gradually reduce silly oaf’s fee (4,3)
41 Rows bring crying, reportedly (5)
42 Lizard Vasco beheaded (5)
43 Weapon causing problem to Central Edinburgh (6,4)
45 Rock group with each secret runaway (6)
Down
1 Demands performances from the past, it appears (6)
2 Cadbury import raised in BOAC accident (5)
3 Unfriendly US spies invading Laos on manoeuvres (7)
4 Mist conceals last bits of deciduous trees (6)
5 Records keeper at the reception desk (5)
7 On board help, we hear, for the 2020s, say (6)
9 Musician Holland suggests gemstones (5)
10 Breaks for readers of Butterflies (6)
12 Early telegraphic transmitter could possibly plan course (7,3)
16 I ban 30 Across organising old forfeit (3-7)
23 Soldiers surrounding a base (4)
27 Muse of ill repute, note (7)
30 Acid recluse shuns society (6)
31 Disprove arbiter on Aussie truck (6)
32 Birthplace of firm (6)
34 Doctor musical material (6)
35 Cockney fellow’s present at French département (5)
37 Let everyone scream (5)
38 Terence or Penny Black (5)
Download a printable version here.
A first prize of £30 and two runners-up prizes of £20 for the first correct solutions opened on 14 July. 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 2709, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.
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