The unclued lights (three coming first and one coming last, two pairs and four of two words) are of a kind.

Across

12    One record after another oddly omitted rulers’ postscripts (9)

13    Compact disc’s first seen spinning (5)

15    Omits plan about philosophical belief (9)

16    Impassioned male getting date wrong (6)

20    Resin on imperfect coin from Sparta (7)

21    Pangs oddly to consume uncooked seafood (6)

22    VIP is out of reach (4-2)

24    Booster rockets seen when north-east rivers are in spate (8)

26    Face being laid back (4)

28    Neeson regularly appearing in Keanu Reeves’ role (3)

29    Marsh stifles river plant (4)

32    Suspect CIA names one might forget (8)

35    Press release involving some introductions (6)

37    Umpire’s error about mobile phone’s card before visit (7)

39    It’s fabulous! Goodness! Almost 11! (6)

43    Confiscate trawler catching small fish (5)

45    Deal with Turkey ultimately establishing pact (6)

Down

2    Highest points of a public house dispensing one ale (7)

4    Poor Zoe has left home, after oil started to percolate (4,3)

6    Another thematic character at church meeting (6)

8    Figure one has only half a buck (4)

9    Tank-wire woven into cardigans and jumpers (8)

10    Ruhrland city’s distinctive nature without church (5)

11    Relinquishments of claims about diplomatic errands (10)

14    Cite hefty changes to desire to travel (5,4)

17    Elf’s special ceremony (6)

23    Clergyman’s responsibility at capital hotel (6)

25    Old record by plot white blood cell (8)

26    Settling an issue on 1/12 is upsetting heartless Vince (8)

30    BMX repaired by Cecil (7)

31    Crossing in Drake’s ship (7)

33    Speechless in the morning with Sunday crossword (6)

36    Made-to-measure governor? (5)

38    It provides the bite as Gooch nears another ton, for starters (4)

40    Heathens oddly reveal Venezuelan composer (4)

41    Jail fence’s ultimate punishment (4)

Download a printable version here.

A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 19 May. 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 2607, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery. The dictionary prize is not available at present.

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