Each clue defines the full solution to which the letter-count refers. However, the cryptic wordplay leads to the grid entry, after one letter has been omitted each time it appears in the full solution. The omitted letters in clue order reveal a relevant timely phrase which solvers should include with their entry.
 

Across

1    Helped top-class lad (8)
4    150 sects accepting alternative maths aids (11)
10    Any reply sorted about church theft? (12, two words)
11    Eccentric fellow returns the French novel (7)
12    Sit astride stump (8)
14    Tooth-shaped, partly bent, oily (7)
15    Hired jeans regularly provide fabric (6)
16    Holes in English slab overturned (7)
22    Rock from joiner and his lad in Kent? (9)
23    Thou arranges — in extra brief? (8)
24    Dash under in France (5)
25    Silly laughs at firearms regularly (7)
27    He plays Risk battling Margaret endlessly (8)
29    Drummer for The Who and relatives having a moment working (9, two words)
32    SW choirs reviewed (7)
34    Apply pressure to broken hinge (7)
35    Cockney’s warmer cafe (6)
36    Mail guy ordered on isle (8)
37    Hang around holding Catholic, making a bow (7)
38    In the depths of Galway Wood, wandering (12, four words)
39    The French island supports cubs (11, two words)
40    Stick with novelist cycling (6)
 

Down

1    Writers’ lists damaged bard’s desks (12, two words)
2    Wild sidetracked, even (6)
3    Community Heath brought about (8)
4    Families having rupees for make-up removers (9)
5    Leo going round a street twice, is an upholder of a belief (11, two words)
6    Count is rioting — causing these? (8)
7    Out East, look after artist on plain (6)
8    Pertinent associations affecting eleven RCs (10)
9    Sidesmen’s empty warning (5)
13    Antihistamine mixed in talc. Right! (8)
15    Greedy folk consuming the same snacks (7, hyphened)
17    Effects of regular use affected arena trade (11, three words)
18    Orderly takes time for make up (8)
19    Points to Harry’s son holding, say, software program (12, two words)
20    No measure on trap one — false (11, three words)
21    Near relative once from European county (7)
26    Opinion poll with different middle note for ancient era (8, two words)
28    Star player skates round running tracks (8)
30    An artist I upset with US phone number (8, two words)
31    Branch of a vein from half live rubber plant (6)
33    Rinse out deposit (6)
34    Mean little devil left (5)
 
A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 16 March. There are two runners-up prizes of £20. (UK solvers can choose to receive the latest edition of the Chambers dictionary instead of cash — ring the word ‘dictionary’.) Entries to: Crossword 2446, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery./>