Treasury criticised for lacking duty of care after civil servant's suicide
David Moffat says the Treasury failed to protect his daughter Chloe, who died by suicide after a disciplinary meeting, and the department has pledged to act on the coroner’s findings.
Chloe Moffat, a personal assistant to a Treasury director, died by suicide on 20 May after a meeting on 19 May in which senior managers alleged she had shared confidential information, an accusation she denied. Her father, David Moffat, told the Today programme that the Treasury ignored its own disciplinary procedures, failed to clarify possible outcomes, and locked her out of email, leaving her without support. The coroner’s inquest found the meeting “materially contributed” to her death and noted the department’s failure to apply its written policy, which would have limited any sanction to a written warning.
Treasury officials expressed deep sympathy, pledged to act on the coroner’s recommendations, and said they have already introduced immediate changes to guidance, support and wellbeing measures. David Moffat said the family may seek redress but hopes the tragedy leads to systemic improvements. The department’s permanent secretary, James Bowler, has met with the family to discuss further actions.
Why it matters
It highlights potential systemic failures in government workplace support and disciplinary processes.
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