1-across – Lower part of a wall, differently decorated : DADO

3-across – Situation of impending danger : REDALERT

8-across – Stratagem : RUSE

9-across – Turncoat : APOSTATE

11-across – Profusion : CORNUCOPIA

14-across – Choice : OPTION

15-across – Lose temporarily : MISLAY

17-across – Gripping book : PAGETURNER

20-across – Prejudiced in favour : PARTISAN

21-across – Chinese dynasty : MING

22-across – Sexually abstinent : CELIBATE

23-across – Steer clear of : SHUN

1-down – Company board member : DIRECTOR

2-down – Separate : DISCRETE

4-down – Utilise : EMPLOY

5-down – Of good omen : AUSPICIOUS

6-down – Question paper : EXAM

7-down – Swarm : TEEM

10-down – Stranded : OUTONALIMB

12-down – Soft-soap : BLANDISH

13-down – Lightest element on the periodic table : HYDROGEN

16-down – Perfectionist, sophist : PEDANT

18-down – Heroic : EPIC

19-down – Spoken : ORAL

1-across – Expression difficult to articulate : TONGUETWISTER

8-across – Egyptian goddess : ISIS

9-across – Ostensible : SOCALLED

10-across – Reproving : ADMONITORY

12-across – Badger : HASSLE

14-across – Kidnap : ABDUCT

15-across – Stopping-off place : PORTOFCALL

19-across – Religious fasting period : EMBERDAY

20-across – Similar : AKIN

21-across – More trouble than it’s worth : WHITEELEPHANT

2-down – Black volcanic rock : OBSIDIAN

3-down – Gadget : GISMO

4-down – With bathroom attached : ENSUITE

5-down – Crazy : WACKO

6-down – Spread apart : SPLAYED

7-down – Fencing sword : EPEE

11-down – Lowly kitchen maid : SCULLION

13-down – Wise : SAPIENT

14-down – Disciple : ACOLYTE

16-down – Crest : RIDGE

17-down – Private tutor : COACH

18-down – Asian nursemaid : AMAH

1-across – Embarrass, discomfit : MORTIFY

8-across – Tentacled sea creature : OCTOPUS

9-across – Bullfighter : MATADOR

10-across – Smart alec : KNOWALL

11-across – Stand-offish : ALOOF

13-across – Haughtiness : ARROGANCE

15-across – Riposte : REJOINDER

18-across – Core : HEART

21-across – Assemble in order : COLLATE

22-across – Extreme greed : AVARICE

23-across – In favour : POPULAR

24-across – Facial veil : YASHMAK

1-down – Venomous African snake : MAMBA

2-down – Relationship : RATIO

3-down – Tireless : INDEFATIGABLE

4-down – Full-pitched ball at cricket : YORKER

5-down – In disagreement : ATLOGGERHEADS

6-down – Wrench : SPRAIN

7-down – Wagnerian heroine : ISOLDE

12-down – Light toboggan : LUGE

14-down – Blacken by burning : CHAR

15-down – Set of instructions : RECIPE

16-down – : JALOPY

17-down – Depressingly dull : DREARY

19-down – Self-evident truth : AXIOM

20-down – Fine tune : TWEAK

1-across – Ironically : TONGUEINCHEEK

8-across – Hostelry : INN

9-across – Stress : EMPHASISE

10-across – Appended comment : FOOTNOTE

11-across – Ring of bells : PEAL

13-across – Notoriety : INFAMY

14-across – Bird of prey : FALCON

16-across – Short dagger : DIRK

17-across – Edible snail : ESCARGOT

20-across – Invaluable : PRICELESS

21-across – Little devil : IMP

22-across – Impetuosity : HOTHEADEDNESS

1-down – Larcenist : THIEF

2-down – Eccentric : NONCONFORMIST

3-down – Online identifier : USERNAME

4-down – Ascribe : IMPUTE

5-down – Cajole : COAX

6-down – Influential, though unofficial, person : EMINENCEGRISE

7-down – Seat of Soviet power : KREMLIN

12-down – Careworn : HARASSED

13-down – Exhaustively : INDEPTH

15-down – Climb : ASCEND

18-down – Spanish savouries : TAPAS

19-down – Internet image : MEME

1-across – Scrimp, barely subsist : MAKEENDSMEET

9-across – Vertical part of staircase : RISER

10-across – South African freedom fighter : MANDELA

11-across – Forearm bone : ULNA

12-across – Take advantage of one’s seniority : PULLRANK

14-across – Instead : INLIEU

15-across – Thread : STRING

18-across – Addictive drug : NARCOTIC

20-across – Wide boy : SPIV

22-across – Supposedly suicidal rodent : LEMMING

23-across – Ship’s officer : BOSUN

24-across – Out of uniform : PLAINCLOTHES

2-down – Ordnance depot : ARSENAL

3-down – Merit : EARN

4-down – Halo : NIMBUS

5-down – Dotage : SENILITY

6-down – Anally-introduced medical treatment : ENEMA

7-down – Expression of gratitude : THANKSGIVING

8-down – Unintentional error revealing subconscious emotions : FREUDIANSLIP

13-down – Reduction in rank : DEMOTION

16-down – Stalemate : IMPASSE

17-down – Roman poet : VIRGIL

19-down – Latin American dance : RUMBA

21-down – Adjoin : ABUT