The Swedish government is rushing the sale of Vin & Sprit, the multi-billion-dollar drinks company, and is in danger of selling it too cheaply as a result, according to Bengt Baron, chief executive.

State-owned Vin & Sprit, owner of the Absolut vodka brand, is worth about $6bn and is one of six companies to be sold in the next three years by Sweden's newcentre-right government as part of its privatisation drive.