And anonymous allegations are easily brushed aside as the work of someone with ignoble motives, like a disgruntled employee or a competitor.

However, she added: "I think they know we are unhappy about unsubstantiated, non-specific, anonymous allegations from seven years ago being presented as unearthing evidence."

Swedish paper The Local reported one additional anonymous allegation, that the group "were found in a prohibited area near a nuclear power facility."

She said her organisation was "not happy" about the story which contained "anonymous allegations from seven years ago".

The investigation into Das was sparked by an anonymous allegation of research irregularities in 2008.

It means that an employee could be discharged and disgraced on the basis of anonymous allegations without the slightest opportunity to defend himself.

"I think they know we're unhappy about unsubstantiated non-specific anonymous allegations from seven years ago presented as unearthing evidence," she tells the inquiry.

Recently there was an anonymous allegation made in respect of two observers from an accession state.

That anonymous allegation, like so many other allegations of course, first saw the light of day in the media.

The Salomon spokeswoman said: "We don't comment on anonymous allegations."