It's not difficult to remove the cigarette lighter... first you remove the gearknob and the gaiter, then you pull the complete fascia upwards starting from the rear part of the opening where the gearstick sticks out. The fascia is clipped onto the middle console with plastic clips. The cigarette lighter unit is attached to this fascia panel, so you remove it with the fascia. Then you can easily remove the power cables to the lighter and the 12V plug, and you can remove the complete part.
This is the most carefull way to do it.

Guess I'm a bit late to respond 

[Phil №❶]

Never too late to respond, I assume the clips slip on and off with no damage. 

Never too late to respond, I assume the clips slip on and off with no damage. 

Yes indeed