This is what the chrome surround looks like from underneath.
Once you get this off, pull out the cup holder. You can then get your hand inside and underneath the gaiter to feel how the plastic clips work. It's a tight fit but I think in the end I had one hand underneath, and the with the other I just squeezed the whole of one side of the gaiter in (I put pressure on the plastic either side of the tang thing) just enough such that the tang cleared the lip of the centre console. At this point all tension is relieved so it's then easy to remove upwards.
Whatever you do, do not pull on the leather gaiter itself - the staples will just rip it.
My gaiter is still loose (not got round to re-setting the gear linkage yet) - if you don't manage to remove yours, I can take a few pics of mine this weekend if that'll
help.