The unclued lights (as four pairs and a singleton which includes an abbreviation and apostrophe) are of a kind. 36 is an acronym and 10 includes an accent. Solvers should highlight a further themed title of two words hidden separately in the
final grid.
Across
1 Sheriff’s officer’s wild spat during argument (8)
12 Land on tree; mother has pronounced dead first (10, two words)
13 English work about wing flap (6)
14 24 change of heart for this bishop (7)
15 Girl in The Crown that’s on her knees (8)
18 Pair paid the bill on both legs? (9, hyphened)
19 Former PM presenter with sound of whirling waters by civic bigwig (9, two words)
20 Heartless worries! (4)
21 Players moaned on the radio (4)
27 Cheap and nasty introduction to Thomas by his author (6)
29 Days gone by in the boundaries of Yorkshire (4)
32 Tiles from a tea shop, with edge of roof having collapsed (9, two words)
34 Like viruses — a cryptic clue, all right! (9)
38 Costumier loses stone cooking Japanese omelette (7)
39 Most logical form of assent (6)
40 Produce notes about tiny number offering bribes (10)
41 Like a spot decision for a quick photo of card game (4)
Down
1 The throng from one of the estates? (8, two words)
2 Mull, say— isn’t water, but … (6)
4 Ugly dwarf spreading ye old tales of crew members (14, two words)
6 Clean refrigerated gear missing.

Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in