Short shifter

[iiyama]

Have just fitted a C\'s short shifter. Not quite as straight forward as the very basic diagrams made out, but hell, I done it!! However I cant get the boot off of the old lever, the bit that bolts to the tunnel. It seems to have a nylon ring around it and is very tight. Is there a simple way to get this off? Or do I have to cut the ring?? (ooh errr mrs!!)
 
Thanks,
 
Ian