A latching mechanism comprising: a latch assembly comprising a latch lever, said latch lever having a first end and a second end; a controllable actuator having a plunger configured to selectively control the movement of said latch lever between at least first and second positions; wherein: the latch assembly further comprises a shaft, said latch lever mounted to the shaft for movement between the first, the second and a third position; and the latching mechanism further comprises: a biasing element biasing said first end of said latch lever towards said plunger of said controllable actuator; wherein said plunger is movable between an extended position corresponding to said first position of said latch lever and a retracted position corresponding to said second position of said latch lever, said controllable actuator, when unpowered, preventing said plunger from moving from said extended to said retracted position and said controllable actuator when powered permitting said plunger to move from said extended to said retracted position. a latch assembly comprising a latch lever, said latch lever having a first end and a second end; a controllable actuator having a plunger configured to selectively control the movement of said latch lever between at least first and second positions; wherein: the latch assembly further comprises a shaft, said latch lever mounted to the shaft for movement between the first, the second and a third position; and the latching mechanism further comprises: a biasing element biasing said first end of said latch lever towards said plunger of said controllable actuator; wherein said plunger is movable between an extended position corresponding to said first position of said latch lever and a retracted position corresponding to said second position of said latch lever, said controllable actuator, when unpowered, preventing said plunger from moving from said extended to said retracted position and said controllable actuator when powered permitting said plunger to move from said extended to said retracted position. the latch assembly further comprises a shaft, said latch lever mounted to the shaft for movement between the first, the second and a third position; and the latching mechanism further comprises: a biasing element biasing said first end of said latch lever towards said plunger of said controllable actuator; wherein said plunger is movable between an extended position corresponding to said first position of said latch lever and a retracted position corresponding to said second position of said latch lever, said controllable actuator, when unpowered, preventing said plunger from moving from said extended to said retracted position and said controllable actuator when powered permitting said plunger to move from said extended to said retracted position. a biasing element biasing said first end of said latch lever towards said plunger of said controllable actuator; wherein said plunger is movable between an extended position corresponding to said first position of said latch lever and a retracted position corresponding to said second position of said latch lever, said controllable actuator, when unpowered, preventing said plunger from moving from said extended to said retracted position and said controllable actuator when powered permitting said plunger to move from said extended to said retracted position.