Whirlpool gas hob akm200wh sparking continuously even without button

My gas hob sparks continuously. I am aware that the button should be kept dry etc. But even if I remove the button unit from the plug in terminal, it continues to spark. I thought that it would be unable to spark without the button.

Any suggestions as to the cause? Eg. Does it indicate a faulty spark generator unit?

If you have spilled water over it, it could be making a closed circuit across the spark generators circuit.
I would suggest you isolate the electric supply and try drying it with a hair-dryer.