The Sunday Crossword No 2968, Sunday 05 Nov 2017

ACROSS
1   Fraudster, initially careless, forgetting small limp (6) FLOPPY {Fr...r}{sLOPPY}
4   Had a fight cancelled (8) SCRAPPED [DD]
9   Entertain like a monarch with energy (6) REGALE {REGAL}{E}
10 Suggestion from union newly filled with purpose (8) INNUENDO {UNION}* over {END}
12 Business with land involving severe anxiety (13) CONSTERNATION {CO}{N{STERN}ATION}
14 Friends, coming round, put up with knockabout comedy (9) SLAPSTICK {PALS<=}{STICK}
16 Measure uniform in good time (5) GAUGE {G}{A{U}GE}
17 Projecting parts, large, mostly overweight (5) LOBES {L}{OBESe}
19 Pests, not very restricted by barrier, start to grow (9) GERMINATE {vERMIN} in {GATE}
21 Recreation of scene with sad value a bit before verse by soldier? (7,6) TABLEAU  VIVANT {VALUE+A+BIT}*{V}{ANT}

24 Sailor with cargo finally left, carrying meat most importantly (5,3) ABOVE ALL {AB}{cargO}{VEAL}{L}
25 Much occupying one when about to make expedition (6) SAFARI {1}{AS}<= over {FAR}
26 Man with cheers interrupting broadcast isn't lacking confidence (8) HESITANT {HE}{SI{TA}NT*}
27 Plan that is for small-minded person (6) MEANIE {MEAN}{IE}

DOWN
1   Predicted luggage emptied in part of ship (10) FORECASTLE {FORECAST}{Lu...gE}

2   Newspaper belonging to senior gangster (5) ORGAN [T]
3   Illustrations about one system of exercises (7) PILATES {P{1}LATES}
5   Crusty representation of Saturn on cake (12) CANTANKEROUS*
6   A fool, admitting offence, causing laughter (7) AMUSING {A}{MU{SIN}G}
7   Write slight, unfinished article, making point? (9) PENINSULA {PEN}{INSULt}{A}
8   Give up work to follow northward road (4) DROP {RD<=}{OP}
11 Five in one group joined by capital songwriter (6,6) IRVING BERLIN {1}{R{V}ING} {BERLIN}
13 Anger after referring to saucy old range (10) REPERTOIRE {RE}{PERT}{O}{IRE}
15 Brass, a lot, playing Fleetwood Mac tune (9) ALBATROSS*

18 Branch of study for citizen (7) SUBJECT [DD]
20 Copy? Some acclaim it at exhibition (7) IMITATE [T]
22 Cool under cooker once more (5) AGAIN {AGA}{IN}
23 Frustrate lawyer with silence (4) DASH {DA}{SH}

GRID