Coroner: UK Treasury Significantly Contributed to the Death of an Assistant
Surrey County Coroner Anna Crawford concluded that the U.K. Treasury played a significant role in the death of 26-year-old personal assistant Chloe Moffat. According to The Guardian World, the woman took her own life the morning after an informal meeting held as part of a disciplinary process.
Moffat had worked at the ministry for nearly three years, loved her job, and had an impeccable professional reputation, according to testimony given during the three-day hearing. An anonymous complaint alleged that she had informally disclosed information about colleagues to whom she had access through her work. Moffat denied these allegations.
As the coroner’s court found, during the meeting, Moffat was not assured that her dismissal was unlikely, nor was she allowed to invite a third party of her choosing. Her job responsibilities were temporarily changed, and her access to her manager’s calendar was revoked, even though the meeting was described as informal. Crawford noted that prior to the May 19 meeting the previous year, Moffatt appeared well and happy, and there was no information about previous mental health issues.
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The coroner acknowledged that the shock and stress caused by the allegations, as well as Moffat’s belief that she would lose her job, affected her mental state. According to her findings, the Ministry of Finance failed to inform the employee that a written reprimand—rather than dismissal—could have been a likely outcome.
The Ministry of Finance’s personnel regulations, which align with the recommendations of the Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service (Acas), require a formal review of serious allegations. Such a procedure is intended to guarantee the right to have support present during the meeting, five days’ advance notice, and information about possible consequences.
Crawford stated that she would send a letter regarding the prevention of future deaths to the Head of the Civil Service, the Ministry of Finance, and Acas. She highlighted the risk posed by the practice of informal meetings without adequate safeguards for employees. The Treasury stated that it takes the coroner’s findings seriously, has improved its recommendations, support mechanisms, and employee well-being measures, but acknowledges the need for further action.
