Inquisitor 1235

[Neveracrossword]

Have ground to a halt with this, any help appreciated.
11 A. Smiley flaps about chief of spooks being slapdash (7) ??s????
16 A. Ian's to wag head (about time!) - what informal charm! (9)
??l??????

Sorry for the lack of letters - the preamble says 'down' clues need treated before being solved, and I haven't got far with those.

[chelle7272]

11 messily -anagram smiley + S (from spooks)

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks v much.

[Neveracrossword]

I now have, I think, 16 Across.

[Neveracrossword]

Am about halfway through his now.
17 A. Lydian queen has it with Hercules maybe, both topless (7) o?????e

[roslyn251254]

17a Omphale

[Neveracrossword]

Roslyn, thanks.

[Ripper]

Can anyone give me a hint how I'm to 'treat' the dozen down clues?
I've got answers for all the down clues except two and I'm stuck!
Thanks in advance

[mad max]

ripper, do you want help re unclued grid entries?

[Ripper]

Hi Mad Max
Yes please!
I also 'think' I've got the Thinker but I'm not sure!

[mad max]

'grid' changes to 'halm' because of the date inbetween, the thinker is in central column plus a letter either side top and bottom

[Ripper]

Thanks Mad Max I'll have another try after your help.
Thanks again

[TheBear69]

I do not understand the wordplay to 3d even after the thematic change...

[mad max]

thebear69, grog=harp,anagram of eds+har(-p)=dasher