Weekend Quick Cryptic 143 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's Phil's turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Before looking at the answers, if you would like some additional help, click the label below.

Hints and tips...

Here are a few hints and tips.

• In 10A the see is crosswordland's favourite bishopric.
• 12A refers to a famous hit for Aretha Franklin.
• In 16A "cycling" means put the letters of the word in a circle and start with a different letter.
• In 22A the politication is a Tory.
• In 6D "Misbehavin''" is an anagram indicator in the cryptic reading.

And click on this label to get the solution.

Solution and explanation of the answers...

Definitions  underlined in bold italics , ( Abc )* indicating anagram of Abc,{deletions} and [] other indicators.

 
Across
1 French policeman's mother I welcome heartlessly (7)
MAIGRET – MA (mother) + I + GR{e}ET (welcome) without the middle letter, [heartlessly].
7 Means to start in November then end next December sadly (7)
INTENDS – Initial letters of In November Then End Next December Sadly.
9 Putting an end to a huge financial gain (7)
KILLING – Double definition.
10 See India in total state of happiness (7)
ELYSIUM – ELY (see; bishopric) + I (India in the phonetic alphabet) in SUM (total).
11 Reportedly brings in vessels (4)
URNS – Sounds like EARNS (brings in).
12 Aretha's song press chief held in high regard (9)
RESPECTED – RESPECT (song that was a hit for Aretha Franklin) ED (press chief).
14 Tribal ire surprisingly easy to provoke (9)
IRRITABLE – (tribal ire)* [surprisingly].
16 Cycling leaf insect (4)
FLEA – LEAF [cycling] and starting at the last letter -> FLEA.
17 In charge of exercise (7)
RUNNING – Double definition.
20 University student remains after game for stew (7)
GOULASH – GO (board game) + U (university) + L (learner; student) + ASH (remains).
21 Supplant two materials (7)
REPLACE – REP + LACE (two materials).
22 Grudgingly agree to drop off politician and come down (7)
DESCEND -  {con}DESCEND (grudgingly agree) without [to drop off] the CON (politician).
 
Down
1 Compose newspaper with this aid to improving appearance (6,6)
MAKEUP MIRROR – MAKE UP (compose) MIRROR (newspaper).
2 I spread malicious lies about offshore resident (8)
ISLANDER – I + SLANDER (spread malicious lies about).
3 Track bird (4)
RAIL – Double definition.
4 It's Reg being trained to find big cats (6)
TIGERS – (it’s reg)* [being trained].
5 Hotel's advertising slogan? Don't make a move (4,4)
STAY HERE – Double definition, the first a cryptic hint.
6 Not a fan of "Ain't Misbehavin" (4)
ANTI – (ain’t)* [misbehaving].
8 Foolishly cheated amidst raising a little money for house (4-8)
SEMI-DETACHED – (cheated)* [foolishly] in DIMES (a little money) [raised] -> SEMID.
12 Greek drinks nastier cocktail before supper commences (8)
RETSINAS – (nastier)* [cocktail] + first letter of Supper.
13 Drive dangerously, running into barrier after story on the radio (8)
TAILGATE – TAIL, sound like TALE (story) [on the radio] GATE (barrier).
15 Got hold of bad egg salad (6)
BAGGED – (bad egg)* [salad].
18 School games cancelled? Absolutely not! (4)
NOPE – NO PE (school games).
19 Scousers regularly use these to make a break (4)
CUES – Alternate letters, [regularly] of sCoUsErS.