Spectator 2552

[Tilly2]

Could I have some help with this one please.

19ac. To wit, PI hires corrupt eastern minister. (10)

??????S??P Is it archbishop?

[teacher1]

Tilly2 ..... look here ..... Gary Oldman as George Smiley ("Spy")
Colin Firth as Bill Haydon ("Tailor")
Tom Hardy as Ricki Tarr
Mark Strong as Jim Prideaux
Ciarán Hinds as Roy Bland ("Soldier")
Benedict Cumberbatch as Peter Guillam
David Dencik as Toby Esterhase ("Poorman")
Stephen Graham as Jerry Westerby
Simon McBurney as Oliver Lacon
Toby Jones as Percy Alleline ("Tinker")

[Tilly2]

Thank you, Novalis.

[Tilly2]

Thank you, Teacher.
I have been looking at that after your hint this morning with the smiley face. I have all the unclued lights now but still have about six more to do.

[Matakari]

Tilly2 ... for 19ac, try viz= to wit + anagram of "PI hires"

[Tilly2]

Done that one, thank you, Matakari. NAC gave me the heads up.

Struggling with 6ac, 34ac and 35d.

[novalis]

6 across- acerbic, 34 across - ape, 35 down - pilum