Ignition Key Won't turn

My 2001 P38 has developed a serious fault today in which the ignition key just will not turn at all.

Symptoms started yesterday when I stopped the car and took the key out yet an error message appeared stating 'Ignition Key In' but after starting the engine up again then stopping, the error disappeared.

Today I drove the car and when I got home, the same error message appeared again but this time nothing would resolve it, the car would not lock either with the fob and I ended up having to lock the car with the key. I tried a few tips off some websites including spraying the barrel with electrical contact cleaner and I also tried WD40. This didn't seem to have an affect at first but then I tried the electrical contact cleaner again and this time the error message disappeared however now I cannot even turn the key in the ignition. I've tried several times, sprayed some more electrical contact cleaner into the barrel and tried locking/unlocking the car with the fob but nothing has worked and I still cannot turn the key.

Can anyone offer any advise? Thanks

Two different problems. The key in is just the shutter not closing when the key is removed. Washing it out may have dislodged dirt that is causing the lock to stick. It should be lubricated with Graphite powder NOT WD40.
The ignition key is hard to turn on mine some times, turning the key up the other way seems to fix it for some reason, or just jiggling the key when trying to turn it. I suppose it not the steering lock under tension? Try unloading any pressure by turning the steering wheel.

Thank you very much for your advice. I didn't have any graphite powder in but followed a tip on another site about making your own with graphite out of a pencil, grounding it into powder with a clean file. I then put it into the ignition hole with a small brush and worked it back and forward with the key and it started to work after a couple of minutes!!