No 14751, Thursday 26 Mar 2026, Arden

Artwork by Prasanna

Solution to 16D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered by a non-regular/novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Port deck is exposed in general (6) RECIFE {R{dECk}IFE}

4   Can start with current location - pitch tents here (8) CAMPSITE {Can}{AMP}{SITE}

9   Sleep disorder? Break open and get into a self-help group (6) APNOEA {OPEN}* in {AA}

10 Laxative leaves Peter in a dizzy (8) APERIENT*

12 Hector at Hector the divine ruler (8) THEOCRAT*

13 South African wants a revolution (6) TSWANA*

15 Amusing to hear them - millions for charity, a prop is placed inside (12) MALAPROPISMS {M}{AL{A}{PROP}{IS}MS}

18 I need coastal police for suspension of hostilities (2-10)  DE-ESCALATION*

21 Bring the wagon back - that is tough (6) YARDIE {DRAY<=}{IE}

22 Fishermen had enormous catch of fish (8) MENHADEN [T]

24 Go pack a banian - it's a poor imitation (8) TRAVESTY {TR{A}{VEST}Y}

25 Review arts - takes a second for the tissue that forms the structure of an organ (6) STROMA {A{MO}RTS}<=

26 Memorial in place - not a phase (8) CENOTAPH [T]

27 Second copy - no work for the harvester (6) SCYTHE {S}{CopY}{THE}

DOWN

1   Live, let Marie go crazy (4-4) REAL-TIME*

2   Becomes hard when half the opposition party's on short leash, perhaps (8) CONGEALS {CONGress}{LEASh*}

3   Macron perhaps makes a Parisian, say, to keep quiet (6,9) FRENCH PRESIDENT {FRENCH RESIDENT} over {P}

5   Guarding a sherpa's place while climbing mountains (4) ALPS [T<=]

6    Part of the nervous system providing caring support to a soldier (15) PARASYMPATHETIC {SYMPATHETIC}<=>{PARA}

7   Melt ice cap to help you throw up (6) IPECAC*

8   Catch associate's brief rise (6) ENTRAP PARTNEr<=

11 Ring us - intend to drink and make merry (7) CAROUSE {CAR{O}{US}E}

14 Keep in deficit - a delay accepted (7) CITADEL [T]

16 Spooner may object to the entertainer right at the very end (8) ?I?D?O?T ()

17 Somehow unite, protect political group and overwhelm (8) INUNDATE {INU{NDA}TE*}

19 Systematic changes, losing seat as if by magic (6) MYSTIC {SYsteMaTIC}*

20 Police raid, no rule (6) ORDAIN*

23 Tread softly - take enough precautions first of all (4) STEP Acrostic

Reference List

Million = M, Second = MO, Second = S, Quiet = P, Tend = CARE