This crossword No. 988 clues and answers were published on Sun 31 Aug 2014 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Speedy Crossword No. 988 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Influence from behind the scenes : PULLTHE
8-across – See 1 : STRINGS
9-across – Games, quadrennial in occurrence : OLYMPIC
10-across – Inflexible : ADAMANT
11-across – Bout of indulgence : SPREE
13-across – Steps in : DEPUTISES
15-across – Ready and willing to be taught : TEACHABLE
18-across – Kind of ray : MANTA
21-across – Country, the former SW Africa : NAMIBIA
22-across – On the fence : NEUTRAL
23-across – Highly amused : TICKLED
24-across – See 23 : TODEATH
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – World’s largest classical music festival, held annually : PROMS
2-down – Stratum : LAYER
3-down – Starred : TOPPEDTHEBILL
4-down – Steep artificial slope in front of a fortification : ESCARP
5-down – Change the accepted style or way of doing of things : BREAKTHEMOULD
6-down – Relatives by marriage : INLAWS
7-down – Like now : ASITIS
12-down – Ask : POSE
14-down – Give off : EMIT
15-down – Convictions : TENETS
16-down – Cleric’s cape; alternative name for amice : ALMUCE
17-down – Willy —–, Chancellor of W Germany, 1969-1974 : BRANDT
19-down – Bellini opera : NORMA
20-down – God in Islam : ALLAH
This crossword has in total 26 where 12 are across and 14 are down.