Hi,
Yes, I have just finished the Spectator using 'Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, 18th Edition' with a Foreword by Philip Pullman
ISBN 978 0550 104 113
This one was published in 2009
Identical information is in the Seventeenth edition which came out in 2005
I have Brewers Phrase and Fable, Prase and Fable Milleniuim Edition and Brewers Theatre. All are interesting books as well as being good for crossword fanatics.
I've four Brewers, ( normal, but needs updating ), 20th Century, Irish and Rogues, Villains and Eccentrics, all of which are both fascinating and worth their weight in gold both for crossword solving and quiz compiling.
The standard, latest Brewers Dictionary of Phrase and Fable is what's (occasionally) required for the Spectator. Older versions (even the positively antique one available free at bartleby.com) will sometimes suffice, but on this occasion a fairly recent one is needed. Googling the answers is possible, but I'm not sure that will verify the required spellings.
Other Brewers titles are fascinating. The recent volume on London phrase and fable is brilliant. But they're not needed for any crossword I've come across.