A 26-year-old Treasury worker took her own life one day after an anonymous complaint was made against her, an inquest at Surrey Coroner's Court has revealed. Chloe Moffat, who served as a personal assistant in the government department for three years, had an 'exemplary employment record' and was being considered for a promotion after receiving a bonus for her work. She died before she could hear the good news.
Meeting Without Prior Notice
Witnesses at the inquest described how Moffat was driven to a state of 'distress' following a meeting in May about the complaint. The meeting was attended by her line manager and the Treasury's head of global issues, but Moffat was not informed beforehand about its purpose. Senior Treasury staff did not reassure her that her job was safe during the disciplinary process, even though a dismissal was considered unlikely.
When Moffat asked if there was a possibility of being sacked, a senior manager told her that she 'couldn't predict the outcome of any potential investigation'. She was also denied the right to bring a third party to the meeting. When she requested to have a friend present for support, she was told it would be 'inappropriate'.
Questioning by the Coroner
Coroner Anna Crawford questioned the senior manager about why Moffat was not permitted a trade union representative or another colleague. The manager responded: 'Any alternative attendee would have made the meeting feel more formal.' Crawford then asked whether consideration was given to notifying Moffat in advance so she could prepare herself and seek support. The manager replied: 'No, this could cause unnecessary stress.'
The manager added that Moffat denied all accusations, so she 'started to draft a letter' to notify her of a formal investigation. 'I was going to wait to send it until [the line manager] and I had spoken to Chloe to see how she was,' she said.
The Anonymous Complaint
The complaint accused Moffat of sharing confidential information about colleagues, which she could access since she managed her director's inbox. She was advised not to speak to co-workers about the matter and temporarily lost access to her director's emails and diary. When informed of the anonymous filing, Moffat appeared 'shocked' and started 'crying at points'. Her family recalled how 'devastated' she was in the aftermath and 'convinced' she would lose her job. They described her as someone who 'took great pride in her work' and 'never made a mistake'.
Final Text and Death
A friend told the court that Moffat sent her a text on the day the proceedings were initiated, reading: 'I am going to be fired.' The friend met up with her in central London, where Moffat 'broke down' and expressed concerns about the 'reputational impact' of the allegations, despite her friend's attempts at reassurance. Moffat died by suicide the next day.
Call for Change
Moffat's grieving mother, Anne, is now calling for an overhaul in Treasury practices. The inquest heard that Moffat's line manager should have been in charge of her 'pastoral care', despite her direct oversight role. 'The evidence establishes a clear sequence of events,' said Anne. 'Had Chloe been properly supported and advised of her rights before the meeting, she would not have been so devastated and isolated.'
Anne is pushing for the department to be required to 'assess employees' mental welfare' amid disciplinary proceedings. She argues that where serious or gross misconduct is alleged, the matter should be 'treated as formal from the outset, and the accused is informed of their rights'.
Response from the Treasury
Lawyers representing the department have stated that managers are undergoing additional training. A Treasury spokesperson said: 'We are deeply saddened by the death of our colleague Chloe last year. Our thoughts remain with her family, friends and those affected by her loss.'
It is understood that changes are already being implemented within the department. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, support is available. The Samaritans can be reached 24/7 at 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org. PAPYRUS offers specialized suicide prevention support for young people at 0800 068 4141 or pat@papyrus-uk.org.
