This crossword No. 676 clues and answers were published on Sun 31 Aug 2008 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Speedy Crossword No. 676 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Coy : BASHFUL
8-across – Controversial : EMOTIVE
9-across – Black diving ducks of northern parts : SCOTERS
10-across – Kiss him : SIKHISM
11-across – Get one’s —–: it’s a P45 nowadays! : CARDS
13-across – Care provided to improve a situation : TREATMENT
15-across – Free from obligation, blame : EXONERATE
18-across – Dotty! : BATTY
21-across – Crown’s chief executive in a county : SHERIFF
22-across – Missionary : APOSTLE
23-across – Italian dumplings : GNOCCHI
24-across – Countermand : RESCIND
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Fundamental : BASIC
2-down – Comb : SCOUR
3-down – Starts to experience financial hardship : FEELSTHEPINCH
4-down – Tenant : LESSEE
5-down – Falsifies accounts : COOKSTHEBOOKS
6-down – Work together : LIAISE
7-down – Recluse : HERMIT
12-down – Highest point : APEX
14-down – Immediately following in time or order : NEXT
15-down – In British infantry, a colours bearer : ENSIGN
16-down – American wild cat : OCELOT
17-down – Vaguely specified concern : AFFAIR
19-down – Bantu speaking people of Rwanda and Burundi : TUTSI
20-down – Income : YIELD
This crossword has in total 26 where 12 are across and 14 are down.