Solvers must create the barred grid for themselves; the resulting grid is symmetrical whichever side is uppermost. When submitting an entry, solvers need not indicate the clue numbers, but must clearly indicate the pattern of eight bars at the centre of the grid which is an example of the theme. This pattern is named as one of the unclued lights which are of a kind and all are shown in Brewer. Ignore three acute accents.
Across
4 Dictator takes Artemis out East – he fears Gaul (11)
11 What about painting wrongly? (7)
12 (6)
13 Trains initially need union backing before long connection by phone
(9, hyphened)
14 First spilt splits (5)
16 Shun prima donna coming back without love (5)
19 Spanish princess belonging to gambling game, almost (7)
21 Complaint about cane (4)
23 Present melody – that’s plain (7)
24 Plant at Llantrisant (4)
25 Sells Alister crackers (7)
30 Six with support for musical effect (7)
31 Intensely dislike Whit over the border (4)
32 I yawn, upsetting logical induction (7)
34 Region of the Near East (4)
35 Hide injured vole in new pen (7)
37 (5)
40 (5)
41 Life-like representation of 25 and 99 (9)
42 (6)
43 Natty old skilled amateur from department 24 (7)
44 Team repents changed verses (11)
Down
1 (11)
2 Old landing-place – landed on in Monopoly? (6)
3 Editor left very pleased – the clown! (5)
5 Roué’s tool (4)
6 Chief for a month without capital in 1 (4)
7 (7)
8 Mineral types mistakenly take one in (7)
9 Sold by druggists with authority about name (9)
10 (7)
15 (5)
17 View work on hostelry about ten (7)
18...

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