The UK arm of Manroland is not under scrutiny in connection with the irregularities, which were uncovered after Manroland's executive board carried out an internal audit investigation.

External auditors and lawyers were brought in to carry out an in-depth investigation, the results of which were revealed to the board this week (21 September 2010).

The board were informed that commission payments were made without proof of services being provided in return.

Public prosecutors have been alerted to the irregularities as well as to the findings of the investigation to date.

Chairman of the executive board Gerd Finkbeiner said: "We will do all we can to get to the bottom of these and any further abuses that come to light

"We have a responsibility to our business partners, customers and staff to make it clear that we will not tolerate legal violations. This investigation has top priority, not least in light of our company's realignment."

The investigation currently centres on its Swiss subsidiary VOTRA from 2002 through to early 2007.