The Telegraph TOUGHIE Feb 20 2020 Crossword Puzzle Solutions

The Telegraph TOUGHIE CROSSWORD NO: 2,388 February 20 2020  

Clues	Answers
... diplomat not wanted as Republican in Pentagon, NASA or otherwise	PERSONANONGRATA
... to maintain shell protecting core of machinery	CLAIM
Agent virtually upended into plant	IRIS
At heart Eleanor thinks: 'Significant point'	NORTH
Chambers errs about 'utility'	SINUSES
Cop on trail of ecstasy drew blank	EMPTIED
Daffy coming from the deep to bowl over	STUN
Direction of Evita somewhat peripheral throughout	EAST
Don once again put right	REDRESS
Greatly enjoying song and dance band	ADORING
Growth in effort to become well-tanned?	SWARTHY
It's a sound manoeuvre if in storm at sea, stowing sails at the earliest	STRAITOFMESSINA
Lift the man by feet	HEFT
Lyric -- working theatre?	ODEON
Machinist joining this business involved in organic chemistry	GROCERY
Malodour within old English instrument	OBOE
Maybe Beowulf's a delight, upon reflection?	SAGA
Nick's typist possibly sitting on terrace	TEMPTER
Plonker! That chap'd get carpeted!	CLOTHED
Samuel's heading into the rain -- to find Timothy, say?	WEST
Sheds unproductive tools regularly ...	LEANTOS
Steel left after split with Jenny	CUTLASS
Supportive plays Neddy put on Irish stage totally slated initially	ASSISTS
This player -- EastEnders' Outhwaite -- is captivating	SOUTH
Thus see a moderate ...	EASEOFF
Trial arranged within following year is failing	FRAILTY
Twin powers in charge here, properly including work with oxygen	DUOPOLY
US diplomatic agency attempts a tender illegitimately	STATEDEPARTMENT
Wants losses to cover end of year	DEARTHS
Water colour	AQUA
Winger's row with The Bhoys' left half	TIERCEL
With backbone mostly fixed, queen's in good health for game	CHINESECHEQUERS