Solutions to eight clues (of 4 or 6 letters) should be entered into the grid however they will fit. The four central lights (highlighted) are unclued.

Wordplay in four clues (not separately identified) generates an extra letter. These letters when arranged correctly in the central lights create four new 6 letter solutions which might be interpreted collectively as…

“Without delay disregard the hard working Baptist”

One or more clues hint at their intended orientation.

1. Prison riots on the rise
2. Lump of gold lifted from quagmire
3. Tear apart flying drone
4. Union is good in simple form for Romeo and Juliet
5. Gnaw again on cold chop
6. Dispatched support for old craft in the Med
7. Parched needing wine? Water first…
8. …to plunge into which refreshes endlessly