The Sunday Crossword No 3190, Sunday 20 Feb 2022

ACROSS

1   Cryptically artful. False? That's a big no (4,7) FLAT REFUSAL*

9   Ultimately pomelo varieties? (7) ORANGES {p...lO}{RANGES} &lit

10 It's travelled fast, leading to hurly-burly? (7) TORNADO {TORN}{ADO}Semi&lit

11 In microwave, reheats a little nightcap: nobleman's losing head (5) NUKES {Ni...p}{dUKES}

12 Pumpernickel, reportedly dry, raised (3,5) RYE BREAD (~ wry bred)

14 On cue, fairy might become confrontational (2-4-4) IN-YOUR-FACE*

15 Eat some ketchup (4) ETCH [T]

17 Last imbecile (4) GOON {GO ON}

19 EU backs protective measure, British pound for French food (6,4) CORDON BLEU {EU}<=>{CORDON}{B}{L}

21 In Qatar, perhaps good to leave the country (8) EMIGRATE {EMI{G}RATE}

23 Valued – or scolded (5) RATED [DD]

25 Rowling initially overwhelmed by Potter: she writes adult novels (7) DRABBLE {D{Ro...g}ABBLE} 

26 First-year student's increasingly amorous (7) FRESHER [DD]

27 Is later worried about sin, provides images (11) ILLUSTRATES {IS+LATER}* over {LUST}

DOWN

1   Honestly cunning to hide class (7) FRANKLY {F{RANK}LY}

2   An unrivalled governor: unofficial supremo, then ubiquitous sovereign, primarily? (8) AUGUSTUS Acrostic Semi&lit

3   Flower is one of eight, we're told (4) ROSE (~rows)

4   They're seen in cells, tubby policemen eating a bit of shortbread (5,5) FATTY ACIDS {FATTY}{A}{CID}{Sh...d}

5   Abandon husband becoming cold in Bush (5) SCRUB S(-h+c}CRUB

6   Most barren meadow where birds found (7) LEANEST {LEA}{NEST}

7   Sound teaching, organised, taking register (8,5) COUNTING HEADS*

8   Ignores discomfort when wearing tank top? (4-9) COLD-SHOULDERS [C&DD] 

13 Easy displaying softer self (10) EFFORTLESS*

16 Strangely, inert gas is most likely to combust (8) ANGRIEST*

18 Everyman's getting a cheque returned: what's needed is folding stuff (7) ORIGAMI {I'M}{A}{GIRO}<=

20 They're seen at doorways, somewhat flat-chested (7) LATCHES [T]

22 Sideways look offered up, taking in bold defiant figure (5) REBEL {LE{B}ER<=}

24 A group of airmen takes to the skies, covering great distance (4) AFAR {A}{RAF<=}

Reference List

British = B, Pound = L, Good = G, Husband = H, Cold = C, Bold = B