This crossword No. 13788 clues and answers were published on Fri 18 Jul 2014 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Quick Crossword No. 13788 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Defer : POSTPONE
5-across – Caricatured : APED
9-across – Thicket : COPSE
10-across – Cease to participate : DROPOUT
11-across – Braggadocio : BOASTFULNESS
13-across – Improved : BETTER
14-across – Hard to find : SCARCE
17-across – Dickens novel : DOMBEYANDSON
20-across – Charged with an offence : ACCUSED
21-across – Bingo : LOTTO
22-across – Metal obtained from haematite : IRON
23-across – French policeman : GENDARME
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Step : PACE
2-down – Backing : SUPPORT
3-down – Official statement issued to the media : PRESSRELEASE
4-down – Fall asleep : NODOFF
6-down – Writings not in verse : PROSE
7-down – Abhorred : DETESTED
8-down – Pampered : MOLLYCODDLED
12-down – Federal capital of the United Arab Emirates : ABUDHABI
15-down – Farmyard fowl : ROOSTER
16-down – Lanced : CANDLE
18-down – Exaggeratedly masculine : MACHO
19-down – Historically, the chief magistrate of Venice or Genoa : DOGE
This crossword has in total 24 where 12 are across and 12 are down.