Parents of Chloe Moffat consider suing UK Treasury after coroner links disciplinary process to suicide

Chloe Moffat, described by her father as “happy as Larry” and living “the best life”, went to work at the Treasury on a Monday last May. She was planning a holiday with her sister and arranging a dinner party with friends. By the end of that week, she had taken her own life.

Earlier this month, a coroner ruled that the Treasury’s disciplinary process “materially contributed” to her death. The finding, which the Moffat family described as a “bittersweet relief”, came after a year-long campaign by David and Anne Moffat to uncover why their daughter, who had no known history of mental health problems, had died.

“We had to become detectives in the worst case any parent could have to solve,” they said. The coroner’s report highlighted specific failures in how the Treasury handled a disciplinary matter involving Chloe, though details of the process remain confidential.

The Moffats are now considering suing for wrongful death, arguing that the Treasury must be held accountable for its role in the tragedy. “We fear lessons will not be learned,” they said. “Unless there is legal accountability, the same thing could happen to another young person.”

The Treasury has not yet publicly responded to the coroner’s finding or the potential lawsuit. The case has drawn attention to workplace mental health and the treatment of junior staff in high-pressure government departments. Chloe’s sister, Alice, and friends have described her as a vibrant, outgoing person who loved her job.

The Moffats’ legal team is expected to file a claim in the coming weeks, seeking damages and a formal acknowledgment of responsibility. The case could set a precedent for how government departments handle disciplinary procedures and their duty of care to employees.

Why This Matters

This case raises questions about the UK government’s duty of care to its employees, particularly junior staff in high-pressure departments.
If the lawsuit proceeds, it could set a legal precedent for holding public bodies accountable for workplace-related mental health harm.
The outcome may prompt reforms to disciplinary processes across Whitehall, potentially affecting thousands of civil servants.

Background

Chloe Moffat, 26, worked as a personal assistant at the Treasury. She was described by family and friends as happy and well-adjusted, with no history of suicidal ideation. In May 2025, she died by suicide after a week that included a disciplinary process at work. A coroner’s inquest in August 2026 found that the Treasury’s disciplinary process “materially contributed” to her death. The Moffat family spent the intervening year gathering evidence, including emails, witness statements, and internal Treasury documents, to understand what happened.

Key Perspectives

David and Anne Moffat (parents): They want accountability and policy change. They argue that without legal action, the Treasury will not implement the lessons from the coroner’s report. They are considering a wrongful death lawsuit to force the department to acknowledge its failures. UK Treasury: The department has not yet commented publicly on the coroner’s finding or the potential lawsuit. It is likely to defend its disciplinary procedures while expressing sympathy for the family. The Treasury may argue that it followed proper protocols and that Chloe’s death was a tragic outcome that could not have been foreseen. Workplace mental health advocates: They see this case as a symptom of systemic issues in high-stress government workplaces. Critics argue that disciplinary processes are often opaque and can be applied without adequate support for employees. They call for mandatory mental health training for managers and independent oversight of internal investigations.

What to Watch

Whether the Moffats formally file a wrongful death lawsuit in the coming weeks. The legal threshold for proving government liability will be closely watched.
The Treasury’s official response to the coroner’s report, including any commitment to change its disciplinary procedures.
Potential parliamentary scrutiny or ministerial statements, which could signal wider government action on workplace mental health.

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