That normally means the key isn't recognised.

Does he have a spare key to try, or has that already been done?

I had one (diesel) recently that wouldn't start/crank and it was the small black power hold relay (powers up ECU) failed in the underbonnet fusebox. I swapped relay for the one next to it that's marked fuel pump, to try it.

http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/s4..._Focus_BJB.jpg

C1403 in this diagram.

Check all the fuses in both fuse boxes too.