British Cycling is at the centre of a UKAD investigation regarding the package, which former Team Sky doctor Richard Freeman received on behalf of Sir Bradley on the last day of the traditional build-up race for the Tour de France.

Appearing in front of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Sapstead said Freeman had a laptop containing medical records stolen in 2014 and that "no-one has any recognition of what was in the package". 

"Our inquiries have established Dr Freeman kept medical records on a laptop," she explained.

"He was meant to, according to Team Sky policy and a policy that other doctors followed, upload the medical records onto a Dropbox that all doctors had access to.

"He did not do that for one reason or another.

"In 2014, we had been informed his laptop had been stolen while he was on holiday in Greece and that's why we've not been able to access those records."

Sapstead said that Team Sky did have a policy of keeping records, but "not everyone was adhering to it".

"I would expect for a professional road cycling team that was founded on the premise of exhibiting that racing could be conducted cleanly, not to have records that would be able to demonstrate any, infers to the contrary," she added. 

Team Sky boss Sir Dave Brailsford revealed to the inquiry in December that he had been told that fluimucil, a decongestant that is used to treat coughs and sore throats, was delivered to Sir Bradley.

Sapstead confirmed that UKAD had spoken about the matter to Sir Bradley, whose "recollection was that he was treated with fluimucil" on the evening of June 12, 2011. 

In all, 34 current and former riders and staff members at British Cycling and Team Sky were interviewed in an investigation that has taken up more than 1,000 man hours.

"He does not know what was in the package, but he was treated with fluimucil that evening," Sapstead said. 

"Our records indicate the fluimucil for Team Sky and British Cycling came from two outlets, one in Germany, one in Switzerland."

Sapstead added that Freeman ordered an excessive amount of anti-inflammatory drug corticosteroid triamcinolone acetonide, for which Russian-based Fancy Bears hacking group revealed Wiggins had received three Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs).

His three approvals coincided with the Tour de France in 2011 and 2012 and the Giro d'Italia in 2013 - his biggest races of all three seasons.

"Specifically in relation to Bradley Wiggins, there was far more than needed," Sapstead said.

"I can't speculate about how it is  used and whether it is used in or out of competition. 

"My understanding is triamcinolone is considered, not a serious product, but you don't treat conditions with it 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 added that the lack of medical records have caused a problem for her organisation in their investigation. 

"In the first instance, we have met with a degree of resistance," Sapstead said.

"I understand why with doctor-patient confidentiality, but it has caused a delay to our efforts and we have had to find various routes around wanting to access individuals' records.

"It is my understanding doctors are expected to keep as contemporaneous as possible records of treatments they are giving to their patients."

Freeman was scheduled to appear in front of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee today, but he pulled out due to ill health.

A spokesperson for the Committee said it will offer Freeman "the option of supplying written evidence and may call him to appear when he's well enough".

Former British Cycling coach Simon Cope, who travelled from Geneva to La Toussuire to deliver requested medication to Sir Bradley, did attend, however.

Cope, the publicly funded national women's team road manager at the time, said that he didn't ask what was in the package.

"Why would I ask if there was anything untoward?" he said.

"It’s a national governing body, why would I question the integrity of our governing body?

"I didn't ask."

Cope also revealed that former technical director Shane Sutton requested that he brought the package out.

"I couldn't remember at the time, but since it, after reading everything, it would have been Shane Sutton," he said.

"It could have been via a phone call or a text message.

"I was a gap filler."

In response to Sapstead's comments, British Cycling has announced two new measures aimed at addressing what it describes as "clear failings" in its processes highlighted in the investigation. 

"First, an audit of our medical services provided to the Great Britain Cycling Team - we have taken the initial steps to enable the Care Quality Commission to examine the medical support we offer to our athletes and to identify areas of improvement," Jonathan Browning, chair of the national governing body, said.

"Second, a further review of the Great Britain Cycling Team’s medicines management policy - we will be seeking UKAD support in this."

"At British Cycling, we are wholly committed to clean sport and I want to assure athletes, fans and all other stakeholders that this commitment is unwavering."

In a statement released on the back of the hearing, Team Sky said that it has "cooperated fully with UKAD's investigation" and "will continue to do so".

"As we have said throughout, we are confident there has been no wrongdoing," it reads.

"Our commitment to anti-doping has been one of the founding principles of the team from the very start.

"Team Sky is a clean team.

"We abide by the rules and we are proud of our stance against doping.

"Any medical treatment, whatever its status, would only ever be given to a Team Sky rider if it was considered to be medically appropriate and justified."

The hearing was initially due to take place on February 22, but it was postponed by a week after Sapstead requested additional time due to a development concerning UKAD’s investigation into the package.