Treasury Criticised After Civil Servant Chloe Moffat's Death

Published: 07 August 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The father of a young civil servant who took her own life after a meeting with Treasury managers has accused the department of failing in its duty of care, saying the lack of support provided to his daughter “beggars belief”.

Chloe Moffat, 26, worked as a personal assistant to a Treasury director. She died on 20 May 2025, one day after attending a meeting where managers raised allegations that she had shared sensitive confidential information about colleagues.

Chloe denied the allegations.

Her father, David Moffat, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the family’s loss had been devastating and that he did not believe the Treasury had yet fully accepted responsibility for what happened.

The Treasury has expressed its condolences to Chloe’s family and said it would learn lessons from the tragedy. It has also said that immediate changes have been made to its guidance, support and wellbeing arrangements following findings by the coroner.

The circumstances surrounding Chloe’s death have raised serious questions about how disciplinary investigations involving employees are conducted, particularly when allegations could have a significant impact on a person’s wellbeing.

On 19 May 2025, Chloe believed she was attending a routine one-to-one meeting with her line manager. Instead, a more senior manager was also present.

According to her father, Chloe immediately realised that the meeting was more serious than she had expected.

Her first reaction, David said, was to remark that the presence of two managers suggested the situation was serious.

The managers then presented her with several allegations that she had shared confidential information about colleagues.

Chloe denied the allegations and, during the meeting, repeatedly asked whether she could lose her job. She also asked whether she could have a friend present for support.

According to her father, both requests were refused.

The coroner later found that the Treasury had not followed its own written disciplinary policy. Had the policy been applied, it would have made clear that, if the allegations were proven, the likely disciplinary outcome would have been a written warning rather than dismissal.

For Chloe, however, the uncertainty surrounding the allegations and their potential consequences appears to have been deeply distressing.

David said his daughter repeatedly sought reassurance about her employment during the meeting but was told that the outcome could not be determined.

Immediately after the meeting, Chloe was locked out of her work emails.

Her father described the sequence of events as contributing to the shock she experienced.

The coroner subsequently concluded that the meeting between Chloe and her managers had “materially contributed” to her death.

That finding has become a central part of the family’s concerns about how the Treasury handled the situation.

David said there had been no adequate safeguarding or support provided to his daughter either during or after the meeting.

“There wasn’t any duty of care,” he said.

He argued that the lack of safeguards was particularly difficult to understand because the Treasury is one of the most senior departments at the centre of the UK government.

For Chloe’s family, the issue is not simply about whether disciplinary procedures were followed correctly. They want to understand why the circumstances surrounding the meeting were not handled in a way that recognised the potential impact on an employee’s mental health and wellbeing.

David said he did not believe the Treasury had yet taken full responsibility for its part in his daughter’s death.

However, he and his wife, Anne, have remained engaged with the department in an effort to ensure that changes are made.

The couple received a letter from Treasury permanent secretary James Bowler on Tuesday. They had also met him in August last year.

David said the family could not change what had happened to Chloe but wanted to make sure that lessons were learned.

“If something positive can come from this unbearable loss that we’re suffering, that’s all we look to achieve,” he said.

Chloe’s parents have not yet decided whether they will pursue further action against the Treasury. David said they were considering their options and wanted “redress”.

The Treasury has said it continues to mourn Chloe and expressed its deepest sympathies to her family and friends.

A department spokesperson said the Treasury was working urgently to respond to the coroner’s findings and had already introduced changes to its guidance, support and wellbeing arrangements.

The department also said Chloe’s parents had agreed to meet officials so that they could share their views and receive updates about the actions being taken.

The case has broader implications for employers across the public sector.

Disciplinary investigations are an important part of workplace accountability, particularly when allegations involve confidential information or potential misconduct. But the process can also place considerable pressure on employees, especially when they are unexpectedly confronted with serious accusations.

The case raises questions about the balance employers must maintain between investigating allegations fairly and ensuring that employees are supported throughout the process.

It also highlights the importance of clear disciplinary procedures.

The coroner’s finding that the Treasury did not apply its written policy is particularly significant because employees facing disciplinary action need to understand what allegations mean, what process will follow and what potential consequences they face.

In Chloe’s case, uncertainty over whether she might lose her job was reportedly one of the issues that caused her considerable distress during the meeting.

Her request to have a friend present also illustrates the importance employees may place on having someone they trust with them during difficult workplace proceedings.

David’s account suggests that the family believes greater care could have been taken to recognise Chloe’s vulnerability at the time.

The coroner’s conclusion that the meeting materially contributed to her death does not mean the meeting was found to be the sole cause. However, it places significant responsibility on the department to examine the circumstances surrounding the encounter and consider whether different procedures could have reduced the risk of harm.

The Treasury’s decision to introduce immediate changes suggests the department accepts that its existing arrangements were not sufficient.

For Chloe’s family, those changes are likely to be judged not by statements but by whether they prevent other employees from experiencing similar situations without appropriate support.

Chloe was remembered by her father as an “incredibly well-liked” person. Her death has therefore left not only her family but also colleagues and friends dealing with a profound loss.

The tragedy also illustrates the importance of taking signs of distress seriously in workplaces, particularly when employees are facing allegations that may affect their reputation, employment and future.

The circumstances have prompted a difficult conversation about workplace culture, safeguarding and institutional accountability.

For public bodies, which are expected to maintain high standards of governance, the expectations are particularly high. Employees must be subject to fair processes, but organisations also have responsibilities towards their welfare.

David’s focus is now on ensuring that the tragedy results in meaningful changes rather than simply another internal review.

He and Anne may eventually decide whether further action is necessary, but their immediate priority appears to be securing lessons and accountability.

The Treasury has promised to engage with them and to implement changes arising from the coroner’s findings.

The case will continue to raise difficult questions about how organisations respond when disciplinary concerns intersect with employee wellbeing.

For Chloe Moffat’s family, however, the issue remains deeply personal. They have lost a daughter who was only 26, and they are now seeking answers about whether more could have been done to support her during one of the most difficult moments of her life.

Their hope is that whatever follows will ensure that employees facing serious allegations are treated fairly, supported appropriately and never left to navigate an overwhelming situation without adequate safeguards.

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