Parents of Chloe Moffat want Treasury staff held to account over her death

Disciplinary meeting concerns

Moffat worked as a Treasury personal assistant for nearly three years. The inquest heard she loved her job and had an exemplary employment record. Her managers did not give advance notice of a meeting described as informal, allow her to bring a colleague or say whether she might lose her job. They also removed her access to her director’s email and changed her responsibilities. At the inquest, her line manager said she believed staff had done all they could with the information and advice available at the time.

Coroner identified ongoing risks

The coroner’s prevention of future deaths report found that Treasury actions materially contributed to Moffat taking her own life. It also warned of continuing risks linked to civil service disciplinary procedures.

A Cabinet Office review found that conditions Moffat faced had been repeated in other disciplinary meetings. The civil service has since introduced safeguards, including allowing staff to bring a supporter and providing proper notice.

The guidance also calls for staff to be told when dismissal is not likely. The Treasury is hiring an on-site occupational therapist to support employee wellbeing.

Treasury changes its policy

The Treasury has changed its policy on minor misconduct. A recent email to staff says they may ask to bring a colleague for personal support when concerns are handled informally.

David Moffat said the changes were a step forward, but that the family still had difficult questions for the permanent secretary. He and Anne Moffat are due to meet the official.

Family seeks lasting lessons

Anne Moffat said the family wanted lessons to reach human resources departments across organisations, so other young people would not suffer in the same way. She also hopes the Treasury will offer reassurance and work with the family on how Chloe is remembered.

Chloe’s friends have honoured her by running marathons for Shooting Stars Children’s Hospice and volunteering for Samaritans. Her mother said the family deeply misses Chloe and that their lives would never be the same.