ANU announced its decision to sell its stakes in Iluka Resources, Independence Group, Newcrest Mining, Sandfire Resources, Oil Search, Santos and Sirius Resources in early October.

The university’s decision to sell about 5.1 percent of its Australian equity was attacked as a “stupid decision” by Prime Minister Tony Abbott last week – with Treasurer Joe Hockey and Infrastructure Minister Jamie Briggs expressing similar concerns.

The Australian Financial Review also organized a concerted campaign against the ANU’s decision to blacklist the seven resource companies.

The campaign culminated on Friday with a front-page story alleging that the university's ESG research consultancy CAER had been forced to "rewrite" its report on Sandfire Resources.

Speaking exclusively about InvestorDailyCAER chief executive Duncan Patterson strongly denied the claim that his company had agreed to revise its report after talks with Sandfire executives.

"We reject the criticism of our work and the characterization of the engagement we've had with the companies," Mr Patterson said.

"It wasn't a case of them coming in and correcting our information, it was a case of them wanting to hear what they had to say and take it on board," he said.

"We have made no commitments that we will change the results as a result," Mr Patterson said.

He also dismissed it as inaccurate Australian Financial Review claim that CAER publishes "blacklists".

“We never had [published blacklists]and we never will. That's just not the way we do our jobs,'' Mr Patterson said.

“We have not, as described, been commissioned by ANU to write reports for companies – rather ANU has subscribed to our standard research service.

"And [the ANU] made their own investment decisions, taking into account all their financial responsibility issues,” Mr Patterson said.

CAER also released a statement calling for the withdrawal of Australian Financial Review.

"The AFR the article is factually incorrect and Mr. Potter was aware of this prior to publication but chose to publish nonetheless. CAER will seek withdrawal from AFR", the statement said.

Mr Patterson said the potential damage to CAER's brand was "collateral damage" from the furore.

"I think we've been misled in this debate and that's very disappointing," he said.

But the support from clients and colleagues in the investment industry was the "most enjoyable" thing about the whole ordeal, Mr Patterson said.

"I would definitely like to express my gratitude to all those people who have shown support," he said. "It was a very difficult time for my team. This is quite unpleasant for them. It's not what they're used to, given that it's not our role.

"We've been wrongly cast in this little play that's being played," he said.