The Times Cryptic 2023 12 22 - Crossword Answers

Clue	Answer
One seeking very best refit pics — note resort needed	PERFECTIONIST
Charge and fine us elderly for misbehaving!	fleur-de-lys
Want of sophistication in arena I ‘ve tested	NAIVETE
Zero per cent tax initially after I fail to declare returns	not a bit
Past love, Tim, originally called around	one-time
Reliable, cheap accommodation, say, containing study	bread-and-butter
Collection of beach pebbles, not hard — one only	SINGLE
Present journal containing conclusion to report handed down	HEREDITARY
Regularly missing usual uncle’s piquancy	SAUCE
Stealing from kitty before paying	PUSSYFOOTING
Be in great need of Conservative party?	CRAVE
Ostentatious display cut — power intervenes	SPLASH
Bitter, extremely credible, informant	SOURCE
Tabloid relative mentioned	SUN
Queen visiting for one chance to see old king	EGBERT
Police officer’s helicopter losing height	COPPER
Is feeling cold in small area of activity by river, sunless initially	SHIVERS
Some intervene — erasing superficial display	VENEER
Senior worker no longer — energy reduction I’ve seen finally	EXECUTIVE
Bishop hosting a series of bike races has a quiet pedal	rat-trap
Show lack of tact producing a ring?	drop a clanger
Thrilled reaction at lazy morning touring second rate dump	wheelie bin
Engineers face corrective	REMEDIAL
Move fast for rent	RIP
Intelligence facilities incorporated in beds, gates and lamps?	listening posts
Formal attire which restricts work	TOP HAT
Issue of 6 maybe, ode in it surprisingly?	EDITION
Successive letters daughter’s left for hotel’s cook	CHEF
Take off, and cross summit	APEX
Is shocking piece of software inadequate too?	APPALS
Society girl at first turns on Romeo — one owing money	DEBTOR
Lack of knowledge of racing — one at sea	IGNORANCE
Top up, pre fifty-mile trips here?	petrol pump
Fish for fete’s sandwiches	ORFE
Men to go back, always ending in retreat	NOOK
Move suddenly forward in swim? Not at first	LUNGE
Performing many functions exhausted yours truly	all-in-one
A French proviso a learner finds categorical	UNCONDITIONAL
Fruit, fine (not half!) — certain to be reordered	NECTARINE
Sword charge? That is right	RAPIER
Reportedly become aware of American count	CENSUS
Moving easily, finally fulfil one’s part	LISSOME

One seeking very best refit pics — note resort needed

PERFECTIONIST

Charge and fine us elderly for misbehaving!

fleur-de-lys

Want of sophistication in arena I ‘ve tested

NAIVETE

Zero per cent tax initially after I fail to declare returns

not a bit

Past love, Tim, originally called around

one-time

Reliable, cheap accommodation, say, containing study

bread-and-butter