5  Joint ruler whimsically carrying out fuel conversion (6)

 8  Nettle us badly to cause disruption (8)

 9  Religious devotion? It's heartless - shame! (4)

10 Barmy thief takes in old wives' tale (4)

11 Remove meal? (4,4)

12 Poster ripped up quick! (6)

14 State "African nation gains our loyalty again" - to begin with (6)

16 Lunch hasn't started, as tea hasn't finished - that's depraved (8)

18 Untidily bury precious stone (4)

20 Overly sentimental during wet weekend (4)

21 Force to leave excursion by car (5,3)

23 Heart surgery is a way to avoid congestion (6)

24 Old infringement to gain assets by force (6)

 2  Loudspeaker doesn't begin to be irritating (5)

 3  Bloodsuckers finally crawl on top of processed cheese (7)

 4  Took an exam as returning student finally (3)

 5  Restrain partner - it's game over (9)

 6  Greek character is one to put the lid on it they say (5)

 7  Score in one game - or another (7)

11 Showed bias to give approval to teams (4,5)

13 Escape from catwalk after consuming alcohol first (3,4)

15 Man conceals weapon in trousers possibly (7)

17 Finally, with any time in Africa, you may hear this creature laugh (5)

19 Coarser rubble half-heartedly arranged (5)

22 It's cold in Nice with no hat on (3)