LONDON — The UK Treasury is revising its disciplinary procedures following the suicide of 26-year-old personal assistant Chloe Moffat. Moffat died the day after a meeting regarding an anonymous complaint, during which she was not permitted to have a colleague present or given prior notice of the meeting's subject.

Moffat, who worked at the Treasury for almost three years, was not reassured that her job was secure during the disciplinary process. She was not allowed to have a third party of her choosing in the meeting. During the meeting, Moffat was informed about an anonymous complaint accusing her of sharing confidential information about colleagues.

Moffat asked her line manager, Kimberly Aldrich, and senior manager, Elizabeth Farmer, if she would lose her job. Farmer, the head of global issues at the Treasury, said: "I said I couldn't predict any outcome of any potential investigation." Moffat, who had access to confidential information because she managed her director's email inbox, was told her access to her director's diary and email would be temporarily removed. She was also instructed not to discuss the allegations or potential investigation with friends.

At the Surrey coroners' court, Coroner Anna Crawford asked why Moffat was not offered a friend, trade union representative, or other colleague for the meeting. Farmer said: "Any alternative attendee would have made the meeting feel more formal." Crawford also inquired if consideration was given to notifying Moffat in advance to allow her to prepare, seek support, and respond. Farmer responded: "No, this could cause unnecessary stress." Farmer also noted that Moffat denied the allegations.

Moffat's mother, Anne Moffat, has called on the Treasury to change its disciplinary practices. "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," she said. She also advocated for the Treasury to mandate an assessment of employees' mental welfare in disciplinary proceedings and to treat matters involving alleged serious or gross misconduct as formal from the outset, with the accused informed of their rights.

The Treasury is introducing new advice for staff handling disciplinary matters, and managers are receiving additional training, according to Karen McDermott, a senior HR adviser, and lawyers representing the Treasury. "Our hope is that lessons will be learned. The risks must be recognised so no other family will experience a loss like this," Anne Moffat said. The inquest into Chloe Moffat's death remains ongoing.