Across:
8 Leaders of an unusual political alliance, in reality (leaders of ‘An Unusual Political Alliance In Reality’ = AU PAIR), a proponent of the nanny state perhaps (AU PAIR),
9 Criminal (= anagram indicator) on trial (on trial = RATION-L) over initial assault (initial ‘assault’ = -A-) (RATIONAL) is consistent with reason (RATIONAL),
10 Roosevelt dismisses loser (‘Roosevelt’ dismisses ‘loser’ = ovet = VOTE) in the general election (VOTE),
11 Brings in (MAKE -S) about a (A-) million (-M-) from wind-up (-END) (MAKE AMENDS) to compensate for the mistakes (MAKE AMENDS),
12 Turns up (= reversal indicator), no (no = -ON) teacher (sir = -RIS-) will take first puff (first ‘puff’ = P-) (PRISON) of American joint (PRISON),
14 Monies for list of employees (PAYROLLS) as compensation for working (PAY-) on The Road (-ROLLS Royce) (PAYROLLS),
15 What man of the cloth might do (MAKE ALTERATIONS) in 2 down (‘make’ = MAKE) for conversions (ALTERATIONS) (MAKE ALTERATIONS),
18 Ripped to shreds (TATTERED) in most of (s) the rags (tatters) (‘tatters’ without ‘s’ = TATTER-) by journalist (-ED) (TATTERED),
20 Diagram (FIGURE) of plans from Persian Gulf (‘plans’ from ‘Persian Gulf’ = eriguf = FIGURE),
22 Cracks (MAKES SENSE) in builds (MAKES) on site (‘site’ = ‘sight’ = SENSE) report (= homophone indicator (MAKES SENSE),
24 Knock back (= reversal indicator) strong liquor (marc = CRAM) in study at the last minute (CRAM),
25 Arrogant (arrogant = TARRAGON) cook (= anagram indicator) found in herb garden (TARRAGON),
26 Not open (CLOSED) to the first contest (first ‘contest’ = C-) for Miss (miss/let slip = -LOSE-) Denmark, from the start (‘Denmark’ from the start = -D) (CLOSED),
Down:
1 Go along with (HUMOUR) unpleasant smell (HUM-), from old (-O-), old city (-UR) (HUMOUR),
2 Introduces 11 across (introduces ‘make amends’ = MAKE) in style (MAKE),
3 Mafia leader (CRIMINAL) heads Centre Right in (heads ‘Centre Right In = CRI-) Milan (Milan = -MINAL) organisation (= anagram indicator) (CRIMINAL),
4 Trackers lose cars (‘trackers’ lose ‘cars’ = tker = TREK) in a long arduous journey (TREK),
5 Stayed (stayed = STEADY) out (= anagram indicator) of stable (STEADY),
6 What The Prodigal Son might be looking for (HOMECOMING) in accommodation (HOME-) is imminent (-COMING) (HOMECOMING),
7 Instrument (MANDOLIN) is short (e) for a kitchen utensil (‘mandoline’ without ‘e’ = MANDOLIN),
13 Dessert (SWEET-) with essence (-HEART) (SWEETHEART) of honey (SWEETHEART),
14 Make an emotional appeal (PLEAD) for police (P-) escort (-LEAD) (PLEAD),
16 Piece (AR-M-) covers article (-A-) by Russell (-AE- Russell) – an (-AN) (ARAMAEAN) old person from Syria (ARAMAEAN),
17 Building (= anagram indicator) for sale (for sale = AL FRES-O) around castle (-C-) (AL FRESCO) outside (AL FRESCO),
19 Jazz (= anagram indicator) singer (singer = RESIGN) gets to bow out (RESIGN),
21 Adulterers dismiss lust (‘adulterers’ dismiss ‘lust’ = aderer = READER) of bookish lover (READER),
23 Sister’s (NUNS) insurance doesn’t include Erica (‘insurance’ doesn’t include “Erica” = nsun = NUNS),
24 Show off (CROW) cycle (C-) chain (chain/line = -ROW) (CROW).