Rhianna Benson
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
In May 2025, 26-year-old Chloe Moffat took her own life after facing disciplinary measures while working at the Treasury.
Now, her heartbroken mother is urging Government officials to change their practices to better support young workers.
Moffat had worked as a personal assistant for almost three years, attendees to her inquest at Surrey Coroners Court heard last week. Her 'exemplary employment record' was also discussed, along with her alleged 'love' of the job.
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Attention was then turned to a disciplinary meeting Moffat was called into a day before her death, after an anonymous complaint had been made about her by a colleague, accusing her of sharing confidential information about colleagues.
The co-worker claimed she'd done so with access to this information, being that she ran her director's email inbox.
She hadn't been notified of the meeting beforehand, or told about its subject matter.
During the meeting - for which she was told she wasn't allowed to bring a third party along with her - her manager and a senior manager failed to reassure her that her job had been safe, despite the strong unlikelihood that she'd be dismissed over the alleged error.
As such, a 'devastated' Moffat convinced herself she was set to lose her job.
Despite the telling-off, which drove her to severe 'distress', Moffatt had been in line for a promotion, and had even been awarded a bonus for her work.
She wasn't aware of any, however, and heartbreakingly, made the decision to commit suicide before she could be told.
Her mum, Anne Moffat, told the court this week: "The evidence establishes a clear sequence of events. Had Chloe been properly supported and advised of her rights before the meeting, she would not have been so devastated and isolated."
Now, Anne is calling upon the Treasury to 'require an assessment of employees' mental welfare in disciplinary proceedings', and that 'where serious or gross misconduct is alleged, the matter is treated as formal from the outset and the accused is informed of their rights'.
She added: "Our hope is that lessons will be learned. The risks must be recognised so no other family will experience a loss like this."
Appearing in court, Moffat's senior manager told the court she'd asked during the meeting if she was set to lose her job.
"I said I couldn’t predict any outcome of any potential investigation," they replied, adding that Moffat was 'shocked, crying at points, distressed, overwhelmed' at several points during the meeting.
Asked in court why Moffat hadn't been permitted to bring a friend or colleague of her choosing along to the meeting, the senior manager replied: "We felt this would be inappropriate."
They were also pressed for an explanation as to why Moffat hadn't been accompanied by a trade union representative or a member of HR.
"Any alternative attendee would have made the meeting feel more formal," the senior manager replied.
The coroner asked: "Given these allegations, that were potentially serious, were going to be raised with her, was any consideration given to notifying her so she could prepare herself, seek support and respond?"
"No, this could cause unnecessary stress," the manager replied.
A friend of Moffat also appeared in court, recalling she'd received a text after the meeting which read, 'I am going to be fired'.
The pair later met in London's St James's Park, where Moffat allegedly 'broke down crying'.
The friend claimed she 'reassured Chloe, but she remained distressed', given she was 'incredibly concerned about the reputational impact' of the case.
A spokesperson for the Treasury confirmed the department would amend its disciplinary proceedings in light of Moffat's death.
They confirmed that new advice had been handed out to staff facing disciplinary matters, and that managers had been given additional training.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk.