Fuel filler cap lock foobar'd, how to remove?

Has anyone met this issue before please? I can’t get the filler cap off since the lock won’t engage properly, so the thing just spins around uselessly. Allegedly (http://m-theory.co.uk/Exige/faq.asp) it’s possible to find a cheap set of replacement lock innards, but before any of that I need to at least get the existing one off. Drilling the lock is not an option due to the proximity to fuel vapours, and besides that approach is unlikely the cause it to engage. Any suggestions on a way to deal with this?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

you won’t ignite the vapours. . its actually quite difficult to ignite petrol vapour outside the right conditions…
…just drill with a battery dril…and keep going

Call John, he can open them with a paper clip!!

No, I am not kidding!