The accusations were made in an anonymous letter written to the head of the Carinthia provincial police Michaela Kohlweiß and her deputy Wolfgang Rauchegger and concern two border inspections that took place on the 29th and 30th of June last year.

The authors of the letter say they are police officers and know how border inspections are arranged.

“These inspections were not about national borders but rather about marmots and everything else that interests the hunters,” they wrote, adding the “two beautiful days” of state-financed hunting trips were organised for hunting friends of someone in the police force.

The accused police officer, who had not been named, told the Kurier newspaper that border investigations take place all the time but the idea that his hunting friends took part “is nonsense”.

Kohlweiß confirmed on Tuesday that an internal investigation into the claims has been launched,  saying: “We will closely investigate the accusations and the facts.”

In the meantime, the accused official will remain in office until the findings of the investigation are revealed.

“While the investigation is underway, there is no need for disciplinary measures,” said police spokesperson Rainer Dionisio.