8 by 13

Puzzle explanation

Parts removed from clues were of lengths 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, repeating. Their initials spelt “one one two three five eight squares”, suggesting division into squares with sides of those lengths. The orientation was confirmed by a spiral drawn through the cells where resolved clashes spelt FIBONACCI (any approximate curve passing through the FIBONACCI cells was accepted). The title and setter were found by advancing through cells using the first 12 terms of the Fibonacci sequence (numbered here for information only), returning to the start once the bottom right was reached.

Clue explanations

Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal

Removed letters Answer Explanation
(O)pen SPLICE S(taff) P(en) L(oophole) + ICE
(N)one RACED ACE in RD
St(EW)art TUBED DEBUT <
(OUT)lines LLANERO LL + ANEROID − ID
ri(NSED A) ARRIVISTE (STEW − W) after (RIVAL RI − L(amb)) *
viol(ET TINTED) TEGU TE + GU
tes(T)s TESSERAL TESS + ERA + L
la(W)yer BALNEARY (LAYER + BAN) *
d(OW)ry ARIF ARID − D + F
sublet(TER) UNDER SEAL UNDERSET − T(enancy) + A + L
(HALF-D)one ACERBIC ACE + R(oast) B(eef) I(rritates) C(hef)
(RAF AEROD)rome REMUS R + EMUS
inhuman(E) ANGLE (inhum)AN GLE(emen)
S(E)oul KAIKAI I in KA + K(orea) + (b)AI(t)
if(FY) SHADCHAN DASH * + CH + AN
trumpet(ING) LUR LUR(k)
(VERHO)even LEVEEING LEVE(l) + EIN + G
she(EPISH BAN)dits EDIT (sh)E DIT(s)
h(E)ard ALTS HALT − H + S
A(I)r CAESAREA (AR + SEA ACE) *
(GR)in ENTERS (r)ENTER + S(ad)
(HIK)er DEERE DEE around ER
(TO IMP)air ARGALAS (c)A(r)R(y) + GAL + AS
murder(S HIS WIFE) FOUL PLAY FOU + LP + LAY
Ira(Q) TRIARCH (TR + CH) around IRA *
kno(U)t IGNARO I + GNAR + O
(AL)right ALIEN A + LIEN
wal(RUS) ANIL ANI + (wa)L
Carp(E DIEM) YERK Y + ERK
(SAFETY SW)itch EUK (n)UKE(s) *
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