9  One sober geezer in need of reform given introduction to charity (8,7)

10 Exploit some housewives (3)

11 Who’s behind celebrity memoir? M R James? (5-6)

12 A malevolent force comes back quick (5)

13 Reconciled soldiers finally get reparation (9)

16 Study a ledger’s conclusion: two old pennies (7)

18 Instrument made of woven cat hair (7)

20 Implicit qualities or obvious ones (9)

22 What describes Cratchit – lowly employee, really kind at first (5)

23 Desperate enterprise of backsliding prole with horn in tatters (7,4)

25 Wild beast; good one from the east (3)

26 Novel is rash moral act after a bit of compassion’s introduced (1,9,5)

 2  Obliteration of Democrat before Conservative’s removed from ballot (8)

 3  Thin section of maritime agreement (6)

 4  Wretchedness of French saloon (it’s wrecked) (10)

 5  Wanna hear a secret? Car club’s abandoned one Volkswagen (4)

 6  Salacious musical admits one supporting familiar insurance firm (8)

 7  See two articles – what Thompson did in Vegas perhaps... (6)

 8  ...likewise a long way off taking drug (4)

14 Sort of table where coins and a cola are arrayed (10)

15 On fourth of July, husband’s in military vehicle, well-fed with gratitude (10)

17 Improve stronghold with surrounding bank all piled up (8)

19 Stark colleagues annoy first of stringers to cover victory in Europe (8)

21 Crude second of ghosts comes out of fireplace before start of Yuletide (6)

22 Force millions out of business (6)

23 Fellow to insulate tire (4)

24 A, B, C, D, F or G? (4)