Treasury Accepts Role in Staffer's Death, Vows Reforms

The Treasury has accepted that it contributed to the death of Chloe Moffat, a 26-year-old personal assistant who died by suicide in May 2025. The department stated that "immediate steps" have been taken to address outstanding risks within its procedures.

Moffat died the day after she was informed of allegations that she had shared sensitive confidential information, which she denied. A coroner's report found that a practice within HM Treasury of conducting "informal fact-finding" meetings with employees accused of misconduct lacked a basis in ministry policy and posed a risk of future deaths.

In response to the coroner's report, the Treasury and the Cabinet Office stated they "accept the concerns identified" and "take them extremely seriously." The Cabinet Office also committed to undertaking a broader review of workplace conflict and resolution across Whitehall within a year.

During Moffat's inquest in August, the Treasury was found to have "materially contributed" to her death by failing to inform her that the likely penalty for the alleged misconduct, if proven, would be a written warning rather than dismissal. The department has now "accepted the findings in the report in full" and has taken immediate action to mitigate the concerns raised.

Strengthened "wellbeing safeguards" have been introduced, and the use of informal fact-finding meetings has been halted pending a full policy review, according to the department. Employees facing misconduct allegations will now be informed of potential outcomes before being asked to respond, and a suicide prevention framework is under development. A Treasury spokesperson expressed the department's deepest sympathies to Chloe Moffat's friends and family, noting that an independent review found staff acted in good faith and with a duty of care throughout the process.