UK Treasury accepts it contributed to employee Chloe Moffat's death

Coroner found informal fact-finding meetings had no basis in Treasury policy

HM Treasury has accepted that it contributed to the death of Chloe Moffat, a 26-year-old personal assistant who took her own life in May 2025, the day after managers told her of allegations that she had shared sensitive confidential information, which she denied. In a response to the coroner’s report, the department said “immediate steps” have been taken to tackle outstanding risks.

The coroner found that a practice within HM Treasury of holding “informal fact-finding” meetings with employees accused of misconduct had no basis in the ministry’s policy and posed a risk of future death. Moffat worked as personal assistant to one of the department’s directors.

At Moffat’s inquest in August, the Treasury was found to have “materially contributed” to her death by not telling her that the likely penalty if allegations against her were proven would be a written warning and not dismissal.

Responding to the coroner’s findings, the Treasury said it “accepted the findings in the report in full” and had taken immediate action to mitigate the concerns raised. The Treasury and the Cabinet Office wrote that they “accept the concerns identified” and “take them extremely seriously”.

Strengthened “wellbeing safeguards” have been introduced, the department said, and the use of informal fact-finding meetings has been stopped while a full policy review is conducted. Employees facing misconduct allegations will be informed of the possible outcomes before being asked to respond, and a suicide prevention framework is being developed.

The Cabinet Office said it would also undertake a wider review of workplace conflict and resolution across Whitehall within a year.

“HM Treasury has considered these concerns carefully and has taken immediate steps to mitigate the identified risks,” the department said in its response. “While this work introduces some enhancements, much of it is intended to strengthen, clarify and build on the procedures and support already in place.”

A Treasury spokesperson said: “The Treasury’s deepest sympathies continue to be with Chloe’s friends and family, and the department continues to mourn our colleague.” The spokesperson said an independent review had found staff acted in good faith and with a duty of care throughout.

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