Across
7. Edges of empire sacked by Egypt’s last queen (9) (9) Hints
8. Told ally to lose three pounds before tomorrow (5) (5) Hints
9. Bring this novel for Leo, perhaps (5,4) (5, 4) Hints
10. Reportedly failing, fell (5) (5) Hints
12. Some thoughts on Gabonese Bantu language (6) (6) Hints
13. Always, come rain or shine, tongue in cheek? (8) (8) Hints
14. In bits, heads to America (see below) (7) (7) Hints
17. Earliest of begonias continued blooming (7) (7) Hints
20. Free money for Americans, with short notice (8) (8) Hints
22. Goes off round centre of Damascus and swelters (6) (6) Hints
24. Delicate international agent put on weight (5) (5) Hints
25. Exciting yet gloomy study of roots (9) (9) Hints
26. Brief question for bachelor in automobile (5) (5) Hints
27. Oblique signal in setter’s work (9) (9) Hints
Down
1. Einstein retrospectively taking legal action over equation’s origin (6) (6) Hints
2. Lustrous, wingless bug (6,2) (6, 2) Hints
3. Parched after cycling in area south of Suez (3,3) (3, 3) Hints
4. Loose gravel’s slippery stuff (7) (7) Hints
5. See you doffing cap a lot (6) (6) Hints
6. Fossil fuel left dons suffering agonies (8) (8) Hints
11. Offer and appraisal both turned out to be unwritten (4) (4) Hints
15. False promise goads nurses (8) (8) Hints
16. Authentic beach huts oddly disappearing (4) (4) Hints
18. Buys barrier to stop litter droppers (8) (8) Hints
19. Familiar with your sib’s butt trouble (7) (7) Hints
21. Roger backing strike for change in Russia (6) (6) Hints
22. Lacking vigour in harem is shameful (6) (6) Hints
23. Chasing game, regularly dispatching zebras and big cats (6) (6) Hints