This crossword No. 12491 clues and answers were published on Mon 24 May 2010 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Quick Crossword No. 12491 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Wastrel — shoe : LOAFER
4-across – Desert rodent often kept as a pet : GERBIL
8-across – Prickly shrub : GORSE
9-across – Inhabitant of a city : CITIZEN
10-across – Hoodlum : MOBSTER
11-across – Inert : NITRE
12-across – I ’ate chaos : TAOISEACH
17-across – Thing : NIGHT
19-across – Comeback : RIPOSTE
21-across – Believe gullibly — bird : SWALLOW
22-across – Hatred : ODIUM
23-across – Cheat : DODOWN
24-across – Spare : SKINNY
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Plant such as the pea or peanut : LEGUME
2-down – Tumbler : ACROBAT
3-down – Crete : ERECT
5-down – Country on the Baltic Sea : ESTONIA
6-down – Composer of the opera Carmen : BIZET
7-down – Finch formerly popular as a pet : LINNET
9-down – Wine bottle opener : CORKSCREW
13-down – Discharge : OUTFLOW
14-down – Coarse jute fabric : HESSIAN
15-down – Spare : UNUSED
16-down – Appropriate : SEEMLY
18-down – Organ secreting chemical substances : GLAND
20-down – Cheap wine : PLONK
This crossword has in total 26 where 13 are across and 13 are down.