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With regard to 2 Down, ("Fool departing in the lead"), would I be correct in assuming that the answer is "DUPE" and not "DOPE"? I cannot fully parse it but there;s more substance to the former than the latter answer.

Up - in the lead
Departing = D and E part this, so D Up E?

Good Lord, they don't half stretch the clues to this puzzle,
but your assessment is the only one possible, so thanks!

It's all I could think of, I couldn't get anything else to work (for Dupe or for Dope)!

Yes, but isn't it UP parting DE, rather than vice versa?

Maybe it's just DE parting, getting split up, with 'up, 'in the lead' inside?

Yes, I suppose you could read it like that, malone !

That's why I often don't parse my own answers in crosswords - it can be a bit suspect! I don't do the Skeleton, so just tried to come up with something.