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One of the more straightforward offerings of recent times, with quite a few write-ins. Is this a new compiler.
?

I believe Eccles has set in the Independent previously.

Here’s a grid if it’s useful to anyone…
https://crossword.info/jono/Genius_246_Eccles

Thanks also to Prospero for yesterday’s blog of last month’s puzzle.

yes, fairly easy solve, but a peculiar reverse formula in which one goes back to identify the "manipulated" clues - without affecting the result ...
I have all but one and if it's 24, as I suspect, I can't see how it works.

"focus" can indicate a central letter, in this case in somEhow. "Back" is the usual letter indicator for smalL

ah .... or possibly the "back" refers to "is"?

Yes, all pretty straightforward this month.

All done, but I don't fully understand how all of 15a. works Any explanatory hints?

PuzzledPom, it’s a reversal of an eight letter word, shortened, with one letter changed. Don’t be distracted by the usual three letter revolutionary…

Thanks.

Actually got it as soon as I'd posted. I'd been looking for a shorter word

I echo prospero's comment: I solved the whole thing, revealing the message in the grid, and honestly couldn't really be bothered going back and figuring out which clues the message refers to since it has no bearing on the grid.

I enjoyed the puzzle. So ta to Eccles. I had more than a few push-me-pull-yous on the way to solving