'Exemplary' Treasury worker, 26, killed herself a day after meeting over anonymous complaint from colleague left her terrified she would lose her job, inquest told

By OLIVIA CHRISTIE, NEWS REPORTER Published: 11:38, 31 July 2026 | Updated: 11:55, 31 July 2026 An 'exemplary' Treasury worker took her own life a day after she was hauled into a meeting over an anonymous complaint and left terrified she would lose her job, an inquest has heard.  Chloe Moffat, 26, had worked in the government department as a personal assistant for almost three years and was on course for a promotion after being awarded a bonus for good work.  She 'loved her job' and had an 'exemplary employment record', the coroner at her ongoing inquest was previously told. However, her family and friends said she was left in a state of 'distress' following the meeting with senior Treasury staff about potential disciplinary proceedings. She was accused of sharing confidential information about colleagues, which she had access to because she ran her director's email inbox. She was told someone had filed an anonymous complaint.  Ms Moffat was 'devastated' after the meeting in May last year and 'convinced' she had lost her job. She killed herself the following day. The inquest at Surrey Coroners' Court heard she was not reassured by management that her job was safe, even though she was unlikely to be sacked.  She was also called into the meeting, which was attended by her line manager and the Treasury's head of global issues, with no prior notice of what it would be about. Chloe Moffat, 26, had worked in the government department as a personal assistant for almost three years and was on course for a promotion after being awarded a bonus for good work Ms Moffat left the meeting in May last year 'devastated' and convinced she had lost her job. She killed herself the following day The inquest heard that Ms Moffat was visibly distressed during the meeting and was 'shocked and crying at points', The Guardian reported.  Her line manager said she had asked for her best friend in the office to attend the proceedings with her but was told that this would be 'inappropriate'.  And when Ms Moffat asked if she would lose her job, the senior manager told the court she had said 'she couldn't predict any outcome of any potential investigation'.  After the meeting, Ms Moffat temporarily lost access to her director's email inbox and diary.  She was also advised not to speak to colleagues about the allegations and potential investigation. The inquest heard Ms Moffat's line manager was in charge of her 'pastoral care', despite her direct oversight role.  Friends and family said Ms Moffat left the meeting 'convinced' she was going to be sacked. They said she 'never made a mistake' and 'took great pride in her work'.  One friend said she received a text from her on the same day as the proceedings which read: 'I am going to be fired.'  The pair met up in central London where Ms Moffat 'broke down crying' and was 'incredibly concerned about the reputational impact' of the allegations. The friend said she tried to reassure Ms Moffat but that she remained 'distressed'.  Ms Moffat's mother, Anne, is now calling on the Treasury to change its practices with regard to disciplinary proceedings in light of her daughter's death.  She wants the government department to be required to assess employees' mental welfare 'where serious or gross misconduct is alleged'.  Anne Moffat said: 'Our hope is that lessons will be learned. The risks must be recognised so no other family will experience a loss like this.' She added: '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.'  It is understood that the Treasury has begun implementing changes to its disciplinary proceedings.  Lawyers representing the department added that managers were undergoing additional training.  Ms Moffat's line manager told the inquest they believed they had done 'everything they could at the time' with the 'information they were given'.  The inquest at Surrey Coroner's Court continues. One hearing was held earlier this month and the proceedings are due to conclude on August 10.  A Treasury spokesman said: 'We are deeply saddened by the death of our colleague Chloe last year.  'Our thoughts remain with her family, friends and those affected by her loss.' The department said the meeting with Ms Moffat was established as an early fact-finding stage, not a formal disciplinary.  - For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support