David Moffat, the father of a 26-year-old civil service employee who died by suicide, has condemned the Treasury for what he describes as a complete failure in its duty of care. Chloe Moffat, who worked as a personal assistant to a Treasury director, passed away on 20 May last year, just one day after being confronted by her managers regarding allegations that she had shared sensitive confidential information about colleagues—a claim she consistently denied.
When asked if he believed the Treasury had taken sufficient responsibility for its role in her death, he responded, "Not yet."
The events leading up to the tragedy unfolded on 19 May 2025. Chloe believed she was attending a routine one-to-one session with her line manager, only to find a more senior manager present as well. According to her father, this was the first moment Chloe realized the meeting was serious. During the discussion, she was confronted with multiple allegations of sharing confidential data.
David noted that his daughter asked several times if she would lose her job and requested the presence of a friend, but both requests were denied. Furthermore, she was told that the managers could not determine the outcome of the allegations at that time.
Immediately following the meeting, Chloe was locked out of her email account, an action her father described as part of the "shock and awe" tactics employed by the department. An inquest held earlier in August found that the Treasury failed to follow its own written disciplinary policy.
Had the policy been applied correctly, it would have clarified that the likely penalty for the alleged actions, if proven, would have been a written warning rather than dismissal.
The coroner concluded that the meeting between Chloe and her managers had "materially contributed" to her death. David Moffat emphasized that there was no safeguarding or support shown to his daughter during or after the meeting, stating that it "beggars belief" that a central government organization could fail to get such procedures right.
He added that while he and his wife, Anne, have received a letter from the Treasury’s permanent secretary, James Bowler, and previously met with him in August, they remain uncertain about pursuing further legal action.
However, David emphasized that they are seeking redress and are focused on ensuring that "lessons are learned" from the tragedy, noting that if something positive can come from their "unbearable loss," that is what they hope to achieve.
In response to the inquest findings, a Treasury spokesperson extended their deepest sympathies to Chloe’s family and friends, noting that the department continues to mourn their colleague. The Treasury stated it is working urgently to respond to the coroner’s findings and has already implemented immediate changes to its guidance, support, and wellbeing arrangements.
The Treasury confirmed that it is in contact with Chloe’s parents to discuss the department's actions and hear their views.
