Spectator Christmas Party December 2020

[Matakari]

Good day, all! A thrilling Christmas gift from Doc! Much teasing
from the Unclueds, but enticing, indeed! I’m stuck on some of the
normal clues and am seeking answers/hints with parsing for the following.
Thanks in advance!
ACROSS:
31 East London’s inner town (2-2) : ??L?
48 Fire takes top off jalopy (5) : ?N???
53 On a power cut (4) : ?E??
73 Mineral next to ash would be on land (3): ??E ( ORE )

DOWN:
4 Yobbos first out amid freezing snow (4) : ?A??
5 Advocated support getting ‘arassed (10) : ?R?P?L????
8 Caught out around noon at cave (7) : ?C???D?
26 Bard’s pay for chaperon? Not right (5) : E?C??
32 Sailor removes 100k from spa (5) : I????
37 Radio definitely has electronic device (5): ????E
39 Earl inside, not steady – not again (3-3) : ?N??N?
44 Serviceman in a hole? (6) : P??E?T
72 Neat homes next to reserve (5) : ?YR?N
99 Need government without king (6) : E?????

[elliemay1]

4D oafs, initial letters

[JJ109]

73 correct AshORE (on land)
26 Escot (poetical term for pay) = Escort (chaperone) - R

[Neveracrossword]

As it's the Christmas special and there's a long time for entries, you should take time to enjoy this one, Matakari!

[elliemay1]

44 priest?

[elliemay1]

//A priest hole is a hiding place for a priest built into many of the principal Catholic houses of England during the period when Catholics were persecuted by law in England.//

[JJ109]

5 I think your L is wrong
Prop 'ounded

[JJ109]

48 Anger (fire) = Banger (jalopy) - B(top off)

[JJ109]

37 The answer is hidden in the clue

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, you have mistakes in 5,8,32,39 and 72. I hope you can sort these quickly and easily. It's tricky to tackle one of your very long lists when there are errors. Still, maybe you'll manage now?

[Matakari]

Many thanks jj109, elliemay1 and Neveracrossword for the great help! I have solved 39, 72 and 99 as well as a few more of the preamble. Think I'll reserve some of it for later on now. Cheers!

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Matakari. Even for you, 14 clues was a bit ... needy! Glad you have soldiered on. It was a very enjoyable puzzle, so worth persevering.

[elliemay1]

Ask any time you like, Matakari

[Matakari]

Thanks, elliemay1, I'll certainly take you up on that offer!
I don't seem to be able to put it down, it's so addictive.
And I've got some poetry to comment on and some haiku
to write! But it all helps in this horrible period of confinement!

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, there's one important point to remember... last year the Spectator didn't stick by the published closing date! They gave the winners' names BEFORE the closing date and I think you were a little miffed.

PS I'd taken it as read that you'd know to come back for more help!

[Matakari]

Yes, Neveracrossword, I was quite disappointed by the Spectator last year, it was quite awkward and embarrassing, to say the least! Just
hoping that this will not be repeated this time! By the way, have you got a peek at Derek Harrison's Christmas clue-writing in the form of an anagram? Quite hilarious and ingenious! I enjoyed it! Cheers!
http://www.andlit.org.uk/cccwc/main.php

[johnpiper]

Well what a slog. But i am almost there. I have a couple of intersecting clues and unclued/partially clued ones that are defeating me
So any hins/hel gratefully received
12D For the game at 12 down i have OM?R? so i guess it must be OMERT?
At 75D for what comes after the starter i have FIR TEA but i am not convinced but then not sure about 3 down. Maybe its Home For tea?
65a vocab unit of latin law by old uncle (6) ?E?E? lexeme?
56d Would this be time to put before STABLE?

All help gratefully received

[Neveracrossword]

John, the game is a card game. The word also means colours blending into one another, giving a shaded effect.

75 Think of a famous tv quiz show where there's a Starter F?R T??
Yes to 65 and 56.