Treasury accepts it contributed to staffer's death

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 18:46 · Archive

The Treasury has accepted it contributed to the death of 26-year-old Chloe Moffat, who died by suicide after a disciplinary meeting.

The Treasury has accepted it contributed to the death of Chloe Moffat, 26, who died on 20 May last year. She died the day after a meeting with managers in which she was told about allegations that she had shared sensitive confidential information, which she denied. During the meeting, Ms Moffat asked several times if her job was at risk and if she could be supported by a friend. Both requests were refused. When asked if she would lose her job, the senior manager said she could not predict the outcome at this stage. After the meeting, Ms Moffat was locked out of her emails and told not to mention the allegations to colleagues. She went home to Godalming, Surrey, and was found dead by her father the next day.

A coroner's report found that the Treasury's practice of 'informal fact-finding' meetings with employees accused of serious or gross misconduct had no basis in the ministry's written policy and posed a risk of future death. At an inquest, the department was found to have 'materially contributed to Miss Moffat's death' by not informing her that the likely penalty if allegations against her were proven would be a written warning and not dismissal.

The Treasury said it had taken immediate action to mitigate the concerns raised. Strengthened wellbeing safeguards have been introduced and informal fact-finding meetings have been stopped pending a full policy review. Employees facing allegations of gross or serious misconduct will be informed of the possible outcomes of the process before being asked to respond, and a suicide prevention framework is being developed along with enhanced mental health support. The Cabinet Office said it would also undertake a wider review of workplace conflict and resolution across Whitehall over the next 12 months.

How it is being reported

• Treasury accepts it contributed to the death of 'exemplary' employee, 26, who took her own life one day after meeting over anonymous complaintChloe Moffat, 26, died on May 20 last year after being hauled into a meeting with senior staff and accused of sharing sensitive information about her colleagues, which she denied.Daily Mail · 30 Oct, 18:26
• Treasury accepts that it contributed to staffer's death after inquestChloe Moffat, 26, died on 20 May last yearThe Independent · 30 Oct, 17:14

In this story: Chloe Moffat · Treasury · Cabinet Office · Godalming · Whitehall

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log