However, Sapstead revealed investigations by UKAD have found Freeman has no records to back his claim, and also ordered an excess of the restricted corticosteroid triamcinolone, which the Fancy Bears data hack revealed Wiggins had a TUE to use prior to three Grand Tours.

“Specifically in relation to Bradley Wiggins, there was far more than needed,” Sapstead revealed. “I can’t speculate about how it was used, and whether it was in or out of competition [but] my understanding is triamcinolone is considered, not a serious product, but something you don’t treat conditions with lightly.

“For that reason you would either think there was an excessive amount of it for one person or quite a few people had a similar problem.

“It’s difficult because of a lack of records to see what duration these orders were lasting for.”

Sapstead confirmed UKAD had been in contact with the General Medical Council to discuss the matter and the poor record keeping.

Sapstead also told the committee Wiggins had spoken to UKAD, and stated he was administered fluimicil via a nebuliser after the final stage of the Dauphine.

Sapstead was one of two people to appear before the committee on Wednesday (March 1), alongside Simon Cope – but while Dr Richard Freeman had also been due to appear, he missed the hearing due to illness.

Cope is the man who delivered the package to Freeman at the Dauphine, flying it over from Manchester and then driving from Geneva.

He has always maintained he did not know what was in the package, despite passing through airport security – and repeated the claim before the committee despite their questioning as to why he would not have asked about the package.

“If a guy in the street gave me a package, I think I would be suspicious,” he said. “But this is our national governing body, I had no reason to be suspicious at all.

“I don’t know whether it was normal practice, I was just asked to take the package and didn’t know what was in it.

“I didn’t think it was anything to worry about. I trusted my colleagues.”