Across

1 Apologetic when reporting cheap lodging? (8)

5 This MS could have been produced by forgers? (6)

9 Transposed tune incorporated in programme presented by string player (8)

10 First-rate fellows forced to retreat following a medical condition in America (6)

12 Detect relic (5)

13 Little devil police finally, having had pain, brought to court (9)

14 Plant in Mary’s arbour? (7, 5)

18 Silly lass I recruit is ‘dreamy’ (12)

21 High positions for cardinals? (9)

23 Told to bend over vessel containing holy water (5)

24 Complaints drug is being hidden in travel bags (6)

25 One model transformed into music-maker (8)

26 Sequence of nine anthems, those arranged originally into one composition (6)

27 What’s approved when posted by journalist (8)

Down

1 Sense of taste when one ousts a Roman governor (6)

2 Prophet often at hand putting some characters off (6)

3 Colour created from brown and green I blended (9)

4 Opening castle anew ­— nothing spared to make a comfortable home (7, 5)

6 Welcome delicacy served by married lady of the House of Asher (5)

7 Bladed weapon directed at mother bird (8)

8 Ceremonial banner conforming to regulations? (8)

11 She spins past in a whirl to get landmark flight (7, 5)

15 Most oddly plunged into salt water as an element of punishment (9)

16 Grapes trampled with energy prior to commencement of sacred rite (8)

17 Maturity shown by father unto one repeatedly wicked (8)

19 Secret desire rector finally admitted (6)

20 Pronounced views held by bishop in Edessa (6)

22 Permission to place flower before a sacrament’s conclusion (5)

Last week's solution