This crossword No. 16626 clues and answers were published on Sat 19 Aug 2023 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Quick Crossword No. 16626 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Gripping item? : VICE
3-across – : HIPFLASK
8-across – Desire : LUST
9-across – Next door : ADJACENT
11-across – Big Ben : CLOCKTOWER
14-across – Very small : TEENSY
15-across – Not certain : UNSURE
17-across – Sweeper : BROOMSTICK
20-across – Disparage : POOHPOOH
21-across – Excavation from which minerals are extracted : MINE
22-across – Left behind — unoccupied : DESERTED
23-across – American ex-soldiers : VETS
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Speed : VELOCITY
2-down – Patron : CUSTOMER
4-down – Under cover? : INDOOR
5-down – Mix : FRATERNISE
6-down – If grey, it’s not easy to interpret : AREA
7-down – Close friends : KITH
10-down – Scary perks : SKYSCRAPER
12-down – One on the run : FUGITIVE
13-down – Irresponsible : RECKLESS
16-down – Not a laughing matter : NOJOKE
18-down – Imitated uncritically : APED
19-down – Flip : TOSS
This crossword has in total 24 where 12 are across and 12 are down.