Found this from an old post, not taking credit just reposting:
This is the process to remove the handbrake handle cover:
1. Slide down boot cover
2. Flathead screwdriver to the top side, bottom most lip of leather
- You will want to hit the screwdriver decently hard with the mallet all across the top side lip
- The cover will only move a fraction of an inch before it puts too much pressure on the retaining clip and it will no longer move forward. This clip cannot be removed until after the cover is off which will not matter as it does not need to be removed.
3. Put a pick in the front end where the handbrake button is now submerged within the leather. Work the pick around the entire area to get the inner rubber that actually makes up the cover up and over the retaining clip lip.
- In the attached pictures you will see mine is all jacked up because I kept pulling on it with needle nose pliers thinking it would come out. It does not.
4. Put a flat head screwdriver in the top side of the back of the cover underneath the plastic and pull up while using the pick to continuously aid the rubber in making it over the retaining clip.
- The plastic is more durable than you may think and will not deform or crack even with quite a bit of pressure pulling up.
- I also put another flat head screwdriver on the passenger side of the handbrake assembly since it is open but it did not seem to help at all.
5. Once the flat head screwdriver in the back yields a good enough result of getting the inner rubber liner over the retaining clip, twist and pull the handbrake cover off of the assembly.