AZED CROSSWORD 2582

ACHITOPHEL

1.  R. J. Heald: Devoid of principles, coach with help that’s dodgy? (anag. less first letters, & lit.).

2.  R. Vaughan-Davies: Leading characters to caution Hamlet toying with Ophelia in distress – is Polonius one such? (anag. incl. c, H, t).

3.  J. A. Butler: Initially acclaimed counsellor, his ill-conceived treachery obviously perplexed his erstwhile lord (first letters & lit.; ref. King David & Absalom).

VHC

D. & N. Aspland: Unprincipled adviser Allegra’s front starts to cause harm – is the office party heralding electoral lynching? (A + first letters; ref. A. Stratton, Downing St parties).

M. Barley: In the Bible, wise man advanced before child Prince in squalid hole (a + chit + P in anag.).

T. C. Borland: Mandarin once proving tricky, I engaged a Chinese to help out (I in a Ch. to + anag.).

T. Clement: One like Thomas Cromwell, perhaps, chap to lie freely around Henry (H in anag.).

Dr I. S. Fletcher: Plot hatched, I concealed signs of treachery David missed (anag. less t, D, & lit.; ref. 2 Sam.).

H. Freeman: Treacherously, wanting David’s head, I hatched unfulfilled plot (anag. less D, t, & lit.; ref. 2 Sam.).

M. Lunan: A calming hand intended initially to help confused cautious person (first letters + anag.).

D. F. Manley: A companion and help to leader of Israel becoming rebellious (a CH + I in anag., & lit.; ref. 2 Sam., chs 15-16).

C. Ogilvie: Rebellious counsellor with forlorn hope left after a slip (a chit + anag. + l).

D. Price Jones: A chief, one needing a lot of help, takes on board ‘most senior adviser’ (a ch. + top in I hel(p)).

T. Rudd: Mark leaves the old map smudged round ‘X’ – my direction’s dubious (chi in anag. less DM).

Dr S. J. Shaw: Betrayer of David, leader of party’s in awkward hole after Conservative bash (a C hit + p in anag.; ref. Cameron & Johnson, Downing St party, and 2 Sam.).

D. P. Shenkin: Cautious fellow, i.e. chap loth to order or arrange (anag.).

P. L. Stone: Being careful to avoid traps somehow hole a pitch (anag.; ref. golf).

R. C. Teuton: Sage adviser to help with Corona’s latest variant bearing Greek letter (chi in anag. incl. a; ref. Sage committee).

J. R. Tozer: Hope itch cures with a bit of lotion (one that isn’t rash) (anag. incl. a l).

J. Vincent & Ms R. Porter: One playing it safe surprisingly holed a pitch cutting drive initially (anag. less d).

L. Ward (USA): A renegade adviser primarily had optical worries, he claimed (he in anag. incl. h; ref. D. Cummings).

A. J. Wardrop: Operator, initially honourable, beset by ethical failing? (op. H in anag., & lit.).

A. Whittaker: OT chap I held devious, wanting the smallest hint of decency, an unscrupulous counsellor (anag. less d).

HC

D. Appleton, M. Barker, C. J. Brougham, D. Carter, P. & J. Chamberlain, C. A. Clarke, R. Gilbert, P. F. Henderson (New Zealand), S. Hicks, G. Johnstone, D. C. Jones, J. C. Leyland, P. W. Marlow, P. McKenna, Rev Prebendary M. R. Metcalf, J. R. C. Michie, C. G. Millin, T. J. Moorey, D. J. R. Ogilvie (USA), S. J. O’Boyle, S. Randall, W. Ransome, J. Smailes, A. J. Varney, Mrs A. M. Walden, J. Walker, Ms S. Wallace, G. Willett, K. & J. Wolff.
 

Comments
I must be brief this month, with the Christmas and January competitions following close behind the delayed November comp. 130 entries this time, and no mistakes. Favourite clue, of 15 mentioned, was ‘Catch walrus? It makes one very sad’ for HEARTACHE. Mercifully the postal delivery problems in Oxford seem to be over, though with postmen working extra-hard at this time of year, the time taken for post to arrive is unpredictable, regardless of the value of stamps used.
 
ACHITOPHEL proved a tricky customer (and where, as one or two of you asked, did Chambers get the idea that he was ‘cautious’?). The spelling, used by Dryden in his famous satirical poem Absalom and Achitophel to represent the Earl of Shaftesbury as a treacherous friend and adviser, was taken from the Vulgate and Douay bibles. The King James Bible shows ‘Ahithophel’. (Achithophel is a further variant.)
 
I’m pleased to say that the Observer will start awarding prizes again, now that the paper’s staff are back in the office. Further details when I have them. Meanwhile my wife joins me in wishing all Azed solvers the best of the festive season and offering you our hopes for a less fraught new year. Our thanks for all the good wishes and cards we have received.