Shiftlock override stuck down

[Das boot]

Mrs Boot has a c70 my03. Its the 2.0 lpt. Whilst checking for a noisy front wheel bearing I stupidly pressed the shiftlock override button to allow me to select neutral and allow the jacked up wheel to spin freely.
As far as I know the button has not been used for years,
Two things have happened ,
One , the ignition key became un removable from the ignition barrel, so I removed the lower cowling and eased the cable that links the gear selector to the bottom of the ignition barrel. Thus releasing the key .. yippee.
Two., the shiftlock button refuses to come back up , so the car is permanently in shiftlock override which means it can be started in any gear and in Park.
Oh and the remote for the locking system stopped working.

Question is , how does one get a shiftlock override button to pop back up again?

I am back in Deutschland now and fully expect her to start it in drive one day , and it will of course be my fault.
Due back home in the next few weeks , if I don't arrive with a solution I will be about as welcome as a fart in a spacesuit.

[Das boot]

. Seriously .... nobody has ever had this happen ?

I feel special.

[silverback02]

Just give it a liberal spray with a releasing agent and let it soak through. As you say, it's probably never been used before and has dirt embedded around it. Or maybe a couple of small screwdrivers either side of it and gently try and pry it up.
Joe.

[Das boot]

Thanks Silverback , I had a root about on the interweb and what you suggest seems to be the way forwards .
I have some silicone spray and will flood the button recess with it . The suggestion on the net was that dust and crud builds up round the button which then sticks down when it is used.
Will report back on my return to Blighty.
Mrs Boot will be pleased !