The unclued lights (including a pair) are of a kind. Their unchecked and mutually unchecked letters are revealed in this somewhat irrelevant sentence: ECCLES, LEIGH, LUTTERWORTH, MAGHULL MAKE UDI.
Across
1 Small letter from Greek quartermaster, with UK backing, bearing fruit (8)
9 Heavy metal band which provided mediaeval torture (4,6)
14 Unique web address with some curlicues (3)
16 Leaders of Emirates tour Indian-owned Manchester stadium (6)
17 Mac’s jackdaw remains inside for Russian porridge (5)
20 A new ban about Spice Girls’ hit (7)
22 Not written down that ninety-nine had left without being seen (7)
25 Capital given stick by artist (5)
26 Enough matting at end of pergola (5)
28 Touchy leading economist with reason (7)
31 Rebuffs from Stormy Daniels (7)
33 Ten wild characters madly occupied (7)
37 African expresses disapproval with Indian leader (5)
38 Striking miner acting against property (2,3)
39 Insincere depression (6)
40 Shetland violin having regular genuine parts (3)
42 Parisian is accepted by fixed band of players (6)
43 ‘Look in that direction’ Steele and Fry ordered, right away (4,4)
Down
3 Dotty character in mutual exchange (6)
4 Rows bring crying, reportedly (5)
6 An elder in Troy, a knight and singer (7)
7 Goddess in a shirt that’s torn (6)
8 Odd characters in cult ain’t family (4)
10 A lot of dry snow melted in swamps (6)
12 Promotion of chaps seen in a test-drive trip (13)
13 Principal Royal Burgh in Ross with keep (8)
15 Freed of being involved, so volunteered (7)
23 Tear 6 apart for comic album Gaul (7)
27 Star English drunkard turned up sour (7)
29 Import stuff (6)
30 No children last month used in small 12s (6)
32 Sounds of the stable hinges breaking (6)
35 Bishop always upset item in bar (5)
Download a printable version here.
A first prize of a £30 John Lewis voucher and two runners-up prizes of £20 vouchers for the first correct solutions opened on 16 November. Please scan or photograph entries and email them (including the crossword number in the subject field) to crosswords@spectator.co.uk, or post to: Crossword 2776, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.
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