The unclued lights are three sets of three words of a kind, all linked by a theme word represented by one clued answer which must be highlighted.
Across
1 Where pupils are receiving gentle hugs (8)
8 Finished structure erected in triumph (4)
11 Goal to renovate new hotel figures in Levantine region (5,7)
12 Fulminating, bottling tree secretion (5)
16 Reversing truck, beginning to indicate in case (4)
18 Repeat welcoming son is flipping tender? (6)
22 Elegist with reportedly appropriate colour (5,4)
23 Mostly love to put on underwear that’s warmer (7)
24 Journalist penning book rejected break (6)
25 Have enticement to make material for bard (6)
27 Part of France in atlas, new capital to the west (7)
29 Shame about whole papers lacking colour (9)
32 Marsh plant is seized by dancing girl (6)
33 Stars in reading room out of line (5)
36 Almost begrudged crossing two lakes in town (2,5)
37 Drink with officer in military cap (5)
38 Alas, we bemoan poor rating (4,8)
Down
2 Will’s crown taken back by Apollonius (4)
3 The Spanish girls losing head in tirades (7)
4 Prophet speaking drunkenly is easily seen through (5)
6 Bill admits pretence fashioned in verse (7)
7 Brazenly false European cunning around the French (11)
8 Overturned most of palm oil (5)
10 Try and try to put away right cordial (6)
15 Info on fine friend in non-specific fashion (11)
19 Not a clue about rearing domesticated worms (10)
20 Patriots developed simple forms of life (8)
21 Abruptly begin burglary, also wanting ring (5,4)
26 Magistrates eating British food (7)
28 Minced oath is ordinary sound made when irritated? (7)
29 Coolness of husband on interrupting Rishi Sunak (6)
30 Irishman with no name, perhaps (6)
31 Guys following carbon copies (5)
32 Cross Malaysia’s borders in an American chopper (5)
35 A tea not containing hot fruit (4)
A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 28 November. There are two runners-up prizes of £20. Please scan or photograph entries and email them (including the crossword number in the subject field) to crosswords@spectator.co.uk, or post to: Crossword 2581, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery. The dictionary prize is not available at present.
Download a printable version here.
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