[Neil]

Opps you have tried that, look what happens when you write a long post, other post appear before you have finished.


If it was me I would remove the handle and drill out the actuating part. You should be able to pull the latch back after that.

The other way, and don't laugh, it to cut the latch off with a hacksaw blade through the gap in the door frame. It will probably only be soft brass being an inside door. You can use a thin ( 1mm or 1.5mm ) cutting disc in an angle grinder to cut the latch off as well.