An inquest has heard how Chloe Moffat, a 26-year-old HM Treasury personal assistant with an “exemplary” record, died by suicide the day after leaving a meeting convinced she was about to lose her job, prompting her mother to call for changes to how the department handles disciplinary allegations.
Chloe Moffat, 26, took her own life the day after an anonymous complaint left her fearing she would be sacked from her role at HM Treasury, an inquest at Surrey Coroner’s Court has heard. Ms Moffat had worked as a personal assistant at the department for almost three years, and had recently been recognised for her performance with a bonus and consideration for career progression. The coroner was told she “loved her job” and had an “exemplary employment record” before a meeting with senior staff in May last year left her convinced her career was over.
A career on the rise, then an unexpected meeting
Ms Moffat was called into a meeting with her line manager and the Treasury’s head of global issues without any prior notice of what it would concern. There, she was told an anonymous complaint had been made accusing her of sharing confidential information about colleagues, information she had access to through her role managing her director’s email inbox. No formal disciplinary outcome had been reached at the time. The inquest heard that the meeting was not recorded, and that Ms Moffat had not been given written details of the complaint beforehand.
She asked whether a colleague, described as her best friend in the office, could attend the meeting to support her, but was told this would be “inappropriate.” When she asked whether she would lose her job, the senior manager who spoke to her told the inquest she had responded that she “couldn’t predict any outcome of any potential investigation.” Following the meeting, Ms Moffat temporarily lost access to her director’s email inbox and diary, and was advised not to discuss the allegations or the potential investigation with colleagues. The inquest also heard that her line manager, who held a direct oversight role in the process, was simultaneously responsible for her pastoral care.
“I am going to be fired”
Friends and family told the inquest that Ms Moffat left the meeting convinced she was going to be sacked, describing her as someone who “never made a mistake” and “took great pride in her work.” One friend told the court she received a text message from Ms Moffat that day which read simply: “I am going to be fired.” The pair later met in central London, where Ms Moffat “broke down crying” and expressed serious concern about the potential damage to her professional reputation. Friends said her fear extended beyond losing her current role, to a concern that the allegations could prevent her finding future employment altogether. Despite her friend’s attempts to reassure her, she remained visibly distressed. The inquest heard that no formal assessment of her mental wellbeing was carried out following the meeting, even though managers had recognised she was distressed.
Ms Moffat died the following day. The inquest heard that witnesses believed she left the meeting convinced her professional reputation had been permanently damaged, despite being widely described by colleagues as diligent, conscientious and highly respected.
Her mother’s call for change
Chloe’s mother, Anne, is now urging HM Treasury to change how it conducts disciplinary proceedings, calling for a requirement that employees’ mental welfare be formally assessed wherever serious or gross misconduct is alleged, particularly when such allegations arrive without warning. Speaking about her daughter’s death, she said the family’s hope was that lessons would be learned, so that “no other family will experience a loss like this.” She has argued that had Chloe been properly supported and made aware of her rights ahead of the meeting, the outcome might have been different.
The Treasury’s response
Lawyers representing the Treasury told the inquest that the department has since begun reviewing its disciplinary procedures, including introducing additional guidance and training for managers involved in staff investigations. Ms Moffat’s line manager told the inquest they believed they had done “everything they could at the time” with the information they had been given. A Treasury spokesman said the department was “deeply saddened by the death of our colleague Chloe last year.”
The case has prompted broader discussion about how employers support staff during workplace investigations, with experts noting that uncertainty surrounding potential disciplinary action can place significant psychological strain on employees. The coroner is expected to consider whether to issue a Prevention of Future Deaths report, which could recommend further changes to workplace disciplinary practices if concerns are identified. The inquest at Surrey Coroner’s Court continues.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, support is available from the Samaritans, free and in confidence, 24 hours a day, on 116 123.
