Door wont open

[TEZ]

I am a new member and new owner of a RHD M100 imported into Canada several years ago.
After a few months of ownership the drivers door now won't open. It appears that the outside latch is broken inside (or the lock that is connected too ) as there is no resistance when you lift it up. Central locking works but the inside door lever will not open the door either. How do you access and fix this as you cant remove the inside door panels with the door closed?

I think that the parts are available through SJ Sportscars but there are no lotus dealers anywhere close to where I live and there are only a handful of these wonderful machines in Canada as it was never imported, so I doubt if they would know anyway.
Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

[Simon_P]

Have you tried using the key to unlock the door its on a different bit of linkage and may have more throw.

The doors have the same layout so you can dismantle the other one to hatch a plan.

The unlocking knob comes off by removing the orange clip (which will probably break) the wire mechanism on its own can be used with more enthusiasm.

[FunElan]

I'm not sure if your car has this part (fed vs not fed) but I had this problem once. There's a hook in my door jamb and a little bracket that it hooks into called the "interlock eye" or something like that. My car just needed lubrication on that point. I had to pull the door open with all of my strength, then I looked at where the door was binding....found it to be a metal on metal bracket that meets as the door closes.

[TEZ]

Thanks Simon. The key trick worked after a couple of tries. Not sure why as I had lifted the knob by hand before with no effect?
Anyway, it has saved me a lot of time and trouble. Sure glad I signed up!

@FunElan No it is not federal. It is a RHD import from England. Not many up here in Canada as it was only the US that got them.
Thanks for you interest anyway. Cheers.