Dail Mail Cryptic 6 Dec

[zinnie]

Anyone got the answers to the following.
1.across...(6.5).R?I?O? /D?T?E
18.across..(5).??W??
24.across(7)..??N???Y
18.down (6)..????E?
19 down.(4,3) ????/OFF

[cruciverbali]

Do you still have the clues please zinnie ?

[cruciverbali]

1a; ? Raison d'etre

[zinnie]

thanks 'cruciverbali'...the remaining clues are:-
18.across..'certral piece of stone we lean on when climbing'
24.across.'nasty insect beginning to suck and smart'
18.down..'dined informally in number 19'
19.down..'stopped using "labour isn't working"?....'

[johnalex]

18a NEWEL . . . . stoNEWELean

[johnalex]

19d LEFT OFF . . . . Left/Labour (politics)

[johnalex]

18d NOSHED . . . . NO/number+SHED/off(19d)

[zinnie]

thanks 'johnalex'...that's brilliant.......any chance for 24 across?

[johnalex]

24a Cheers zinnie, do we have any new letters?

[johnalex]

Try SANDFLY . . . S(uck) AND FLY(smart)

[Lie-in King]

Hi johnalex - may I suggest - S-and-fly ?

[Lie-in King]

DOH! Sorry...

[johnalex]

Cheers LK - the 'nasty' threw me, somewhat 'superflewous'! Regards, ja

[zinnie]

thanks again 'cruciverbali' and 'johnalex'....you have help create a 'happy household'.....my wife is an avid cryptic crossword fan..does the Daily Mail every day ,usually before breakfast.
Today is the first time this year she has failed ..and to make matters worse..there were five left !!.........suicide was being considered !!

[johnalex]

Phew, that was a close one zinnie! Pleased we have saved the marriage - regards to wifey!