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I don't quite see how MEAN relates to NEAR. That's why I thought that this clue might be the dodgy one.

Near means- mean as in tight with money

Thanks for that - a new one on me! But since that clue is obviously OK, it doesn't get us any "nearer" identifying the dodgy one!

ST 4408. I haven't completed the Sunday Times crossword online since they started to charge a fee, so I can't get any stats on my own solution. But the error could be 12d. I think its CRITICISMS, not CRITICISES, as this seems to suit the grammar of the clue, though I'm not sure where "stick" comes into it. But this once celebrated crossword isn't what it was, with numerous errors and I am speaking as a person who has won the silver fountain pen twice this year.So what is the consensus of opinion on 12d ?

12d stick prob refers to mass noun Br inf=severe criticism eg he got a lot of stick from the press (Oxford)

"CRITICISMS" is correct. A contributor on the Times site gallantly entered "CRITICISES" to see what happened, and he got 2 errors! It's not much of a clue, and 21 Across is even worse. (Exercise is popular, James heard, and Stan is doubtful = GYMNAST).