2285: Characterful

Unclued lights are three groups of three words of a kind, each group relating differently to a theme word. This theme word appears in the grid (8 letters, reading across) translated into the appropriate language and must be highlighted. The unchecked and cross-checking letters in the nine theme words are DARN HANDSOMELY arranged.
 

Across

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Stephen Daisley

David Lammy’s imperial overreach

1    What protects vehicle’s front (8)
8    Met seven gnomes (4)
11    They perform tricks poorly in suits, and so change (12)
12    Reticent type’s penned one statement (5)
14    People against capturing a rook in trees (7)
17    Standing shocking treatment after hesitation (5)
18    Trifling dramatic genre Milan staged (7)
23    Cause more mirth than son wearing wrong colour (7)
24    Stony projectile’s corroded, split by raging Loire (8)
25    Like to tuck into wee drams, saying these? (6)
26    Emperor of Austria is hugged by king and queen (6)
28    Lists it seems I compiled (8)
35    Tour Arizona’s city at altitude (5, two words)
36    Idiot shedding dead weight up north (4)
39    Current tax’s kept in reserve (7)
40    Revolutionary spymaster, a traitor (5)
41    Soldier can judge 16 (12)
42    Strengthen old case of nice aluminium (4)
43    Silkier shroud with a hole in? (8)
 

Down

1    Failing to get new zone, a city in Italy (7)
4    Vent repelling gas is a safety feature (6)
5    Pop revival from person travelling round (4)
6    What makes Enid go to restaurant? (7, two words)
7    Huge broken toe, so time for operations (11)
8    Way to distress young cow (5)
10    Half a dozen tsetse flies around (6)
13    Soldiers in military forces’ magazines (8)
15    They dig up fish – kippers? (11)
19    Listener receives money for playing instrument (6)
20    Writer backing quote in verse? (6)
21    French composer’s text needs reading (8)
22    Try facial adornment? It’s very uncomfortable (9)
27    Judge America left to get a rebuff (7)
29    Speak unclearly...