Sunday Times 4573 (19 Jan 2014) by Tim Moorey

Solving time: 52:55

This one took me a while, but looking back on it, I'm not entirely sure why. It all seems quite straightforward now. 1a took me a while to unravel as the anagram is particularly convoluted, and there was one word I didn't know - CANOPUS. I guess I just wasn't on the right wavelength (again!).

I only did this one yesterday (Saturday), so I came in long after the whole STRATEGEM/STRATAGEM debacle. Judging by the forum comments, PB posted an incorrect spelling in the solution and the world and his wife were up in arms over the injustice of it! It was all corrected eventually and now everyone's happy. Despite all this, I rather liked the reversal of mega tarts so I'll give it my COD.

cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (--)*, and removals like this

Across
1	STUFFED SHIRT - (SURe + THIS + F + FitTED)* - &lit - It took me a while to unravel the anagrist, it's rather convoluted
8	REA(DIE)R
9	CAN + OPUS
11	CArmEN
12	F(AIRHEAD)ED
13	ANAGRAM - REMAINS being an anagram of SEMINAR
15	M(IS)USED
18	MOD + CONS
20	MENORCA = (CAMERON)*
21	NE(THERMOS)T
23	STAGe
25	BIT + TERN
26	A(MO)NGST
27	SECTARIANISM = (IT'S AMERICANS)*
Down
1	STAGEHAND - cd
2	UNfIT
3	FIREARM = FIR + (MARE)*
4	D(ECO)RUM
5	HANGERS-ON = ANGERS in (H + ON)
6	RA(P)ID
7	PROCLAIM = (ROMA CLIP)*
10	SAD = DAS rev
14	ROOSEVELT = (LOVER'S TOE)*
16	STRATAGEM = MEGA TARTS rev
17	DRAUGHTS = "DRAFTS"
19	SEMI + NA + R
20	MA + SCAR + A
21	NUB = BUN rev
22	TITHE - hidden
24	FOCI = IF about CO all rev