The father of Chloe Moffat, a 26-year-old civil service employee who died by suicide the day after a meeting with her managers, has stated that the Treasury failed in its duty of care and provided inadequate support. David Moffat described the lack of support given to his daughter as "beggaring belief" and said her loss has "torn such a big hole in our lives." Moffat, a personal assistant to a Treasury director, died on May 20, 2025. She had been informed of allegations that she had shared sensitive confidential information about colleagues, claims she denied. Her father told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he does not believe the Treasury has accepted responsibility for its role in her death.
Meeting and Allegations
On May 19, 2025, Chloe Moffat attended a one-to-one meeting with her line manager, which she believed to be routine. However, a more senior manager was also present. David Moffat recounted that his daughter noted the presence of two managers, indicating she recognized the seriousness of the situation. During the meeting, allegations were presented that she had shared confidential information.
Moffat's father stated that Chloe repeatedly asked if she would lose her job and if she could have a friend present for support, but both requests were denied. A coroner's inquest held in August found that the Treasury did not follow its written disciplinary policy. Had the policy been applied, it would have clarified that the likely consequence for proven allegations would be a written warning, not dismissal.
According to her father, when asked, the managers said they could not determine the outcome of the allegations. Immediately after the meeting, Chloe Moffat was locked out of her work emails, an action David Moffat described as part of the "shock and awe" of the experience for his daughter.
The coroner concluded that the meeting between Chloe Moffat and her managers "materially contributed" to her death. The Treasury has stated that it "will learn the lessons from this tragedy."