Thanks JohnAlex. As soon as I changed it to mediation I realised that 9a was action. I now have a problem with
15a Figure of love (6) which I thought was target and now is N??G?T. Presumably it becomes "nought" ?
16d : Tour going wrong, time to expose scandal (7) I'm not right on that one now.
17a Splendid joke I fed into Scotsman (8) I'll doubtless kick myself but all I can get is ??A?S??C and I'm getting nowhere with that. I've probably gone wrong on 13d which I thought was anarchism.
Thanks johnalex. I'm not enjoying this compiler - what have Brown or a Scotsman got to do with the clues? They seem to be decoys and are making my head hurt! Think I'll give the last 4 a rest now and take a fresh look in the morning!
Thanks Barbra - to answer those two points, Mac is your Scotsman, eg MacDonald; plus Brown = Tan. But you're right, too late for all this nonsense, I have just turned into a pumpkin (but don't look any different) - Have a great weekend. ja