Full Breakdown
Treasury Accepts Role in Assistant’s Suicide and Announces Workplace Safeguards
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Event – Death of Chloe Moffat and Coroner Findings
Chloe Moffat, a 26-year-old personal assistant at HM Treasury, took her own life in May 2025, the day after a meeting in which managers told her she was suspected of sharing sensitive confidential information—a charge she denied. A coroner’s inquest concluded that Treasury’s use of “informal fact-finding” meetings for serious or gross misconduct accusations had no basis in written policy and created a risk of future death. The coroner determined the department “materially contributed” to Moffat’s death by failing to inform her that the likely penalty, if the allegations were proven, would have been a written warning rather than dismissal.
02
Background & Context – Informal Fact-Finding Practice
HM Treasury had employed informal fact-finding sessions to assess allegations of misconduct without the safeguards of a formal disciplinary procedure. The coroner’s report highlighted that this practice was not reflected in any official Treasury policy, leaving employees without clear information about possible outcomes and exposing them to heightened stress.
03
Official Statements & Responses
HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office issued a joint response accepting the coroner’s concerns in full. Treasury announced the immediate cessation of informal fact-finding meetings while a comprehensive policy review is undertaken. New “wellbeing safeguards” include:
- Mandatory disclosure of possible outcomes before employees respond to allegations.
- Development of a suicide-prevention framework and enhanced mental-health support.
The Cabinet Office added that it will conduct a wider review of workplace conflict and resolution across Whitehall over the next year. Both departments emphasized that staff had acted in good faith and with a duty of care throughout the process.
04
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Treasury's deepest sympathies continue to be with Chloe's friends and family, and the department continues to mourn our colleague.” — Treasury spokesperson
05
What’s Next – Ongoing Reforms
The Treasury’s full policy review is ongoing, and the Cabinet Office’s Whitehall-wide workplace-conflict review is slated for completion within a year. Both bodies have pledged to monitor the effectiveness of the new safeguards and to report further improvements as they are implemented.