Dear All,
Apologies, i've searched for steering lock/barrel/ignition/column but found nothing. My steering lock is proving increasingly troublesome to release, get into car, key in ignition, turn key, won't turn, won't unlock steering, have to wiggle and keep turning the key and then randomly it will release and I can drive off. The lock barrel is now an obselete VIN specific part. So any ideas, is it possible to remove/disable the steering lock but keep the ignition key?
Neither can I find much in the way of schematics or photos?

You need to investigate if it is the steering lock or the lock barrel. If the lock barrel won't turn it won't take the steering lock off but equally if the steering lock won't release, the key won't turn. If the latter, that is why giving the steering wheel a wiggle will allow it to turn. If you can get the lock barrel out, which you should be able to with the key in it, will be able to see if all the wafers are moving as they should. Never done it on a P38 so not how possible it is, but on another car I have actually taken the steering lock bolt out so it doesn't lock. I can't see why it won't be possible but like I say, never got in there and tried it.

it could be a worn key , my wife's car was doing something similar the lock smith cut a new key and all was good .

maybe puff some graphite in the lock and see what happens?