This crossword No. 458 clues and answers were published on Sun 27 Jun 2004 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Speedy Crossword No. 458 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Arguing : BANDYINGWORDS
8-across – Applicable to a whole class or group : GENERIC
9-across – Spine : THORN
10-across – Confederate : ALLY
11-across – First course : STARTERS
13-across – Make certain : ENSURE
14-across – Senior electrician on a film/TV set : GAFFER
17-across – Futuristic : SPACEAGE
19-across – Soft leather : CALF
21-across – Unsettled : OWING
22-across – Not legal : ILLICIT
24-across – Perform well for the team : KEEPONESENDUP
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Micro-organism : BUG
2-down – Put at a loss : NONPLUS
3-down – Long ago : YORE
4-down – Distinction : NICETY
5-down – : WATERWAY
6-down – Major 5 in France : RHONE
7-down – Plain typeface : SANSSERIF
10-down – Monolith of Australian Northern Territory : AYERSROCK
12-down – Opera gig : ARPEGGIO
15-down – Slack : FLACCID
16-down – Touch off : IGNITE
18-down – Analogous : ALIKE
20-down – Hint : CLUE
23-down – 1dn to get on the phone, perhaps! : TAP
This crossword has in total 26 where 12 are across and 14 are down.