THE final outcome may have been, despite the protests emanating from Falkirk, Gorgie, Govan, Inverness, Maryhill, Pilton and Stranraer, the most sensible solution in the exceptional circumstances.

And if the 42 senior clubs can now agree, as they surely have a moral obligation to do, to change to a 14-10-10-10 set-up so that Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer can avoid unjust relegations, the entire process will have had just about as satisfactory an end result as was possible all things considered.

Should Caledonian Thistle, Falkirk and Edinburgh City be promoted and Brora Rangers and Kelty Hearts step up from the Highland League and Lowland League respectively then everybody, or just about everybody, will be happy.

Yet, an independent investigation into the vote on the controversial resolution which the SPFL presented to their members 12 days ago is still necessary if the besieged organisation is to put this acrimonious episode behind it and lead the Scottish game out of one of the greatest crises it has ever faced.

There is currently little if any faith in the individuals who occupy the sixth floor of Hampden – or did until the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown last month – among supporters across the country in the wake of a series of extraordinary public gaffes, bizarre twists and damning allegations.

An external inquiry is now vital. An internal review, which has been launched, is unacceptable. If the very people whose conduct is under the microscope are in charge of the inquest how can their findings possibly be taken seriously?

If chairman Murdoch MacLennan, chief executive Neil Doncaster, secretary Iain Blair and legal advisor Rod McKenzie as well as the board members are all content they acted properly and in the best interests of all clubs at all times during the unfortunate affair they should welcome, not resist, the chance to prove as much.

It may, given the challenges they face amid the first global pandemic in a century, given the ongoing uncertainty about both this season and next which they are wrestling with, given that league reconstruction is on the table, given that many clubs face going out of business amid an unprecedented economic downturn, be an unwanted distraction at a demanding time.

But there are many, many questions which need to be satisfactorily answered before the SPFL can possibly move forward.

Why was only one option out of a possible six presented to clubs? Why weren’t alternatives debated at any length outwith the executive and board? Why couldn’t loans have been advanced before end-of-season fees were paid out? Why were clubs only given two days to digest a dense 105 page document? Why were the proposals presented by Hearts and Rangers deemed not competent? Couldn't more have been done to help them?

Why didn’t board member Ken Ferguson of Brechin City recuse himself from the discussions? Wasn’t there a clear conflict of interest if his Angus club were going to avoid the drop out of League 2 if the resolution was passed?

Why were the votes cast made public before the final result was known and the decisive vote had been received? What happened to the email that Dundee sent in before the informal deadline? Why were the Dens Park club allowed to ask for it to be disregarded if it arrived? Why did they then change their mind?

Why did Doncaster tell Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack that nine out of the 12 Ladbrokes Premiership clubs had voted in favour of the resolution 20 minutes before the deadline? What kind of way is that to run a democratic ballot? Will the SPFL board or 75 per cent of the top flight clubs now decide to end the 2019/20 campaign? It could all take some time.

Then there are the accusations of “bullying” and “coercion” which Rangers have made. Ann Budge, the Hearts owner who joined Cormack in backing the Ibrox club’s call for a probe into events on Saturday, insisted she had no evidence of the former. But she did describe the stories she had heard as “distressing”.

Lobbying in these sort of situations is commonplace. It can get pretty nasty when a great deal is at stake and emotions are running high. If harsh words were spoken it would be nothing out of the ordinary.

But did such behaviour overstep the mark on this occasion? Were actual threats made? If so, who by? If senior officials or board members have crossed the line between what is acceptable and what isn’t then that must be determined.

Putting the votegate fiasco in the past and working together to ensure the future health of the Scottish game is important at this critical juncture. So, though, is identifying what mistakes have been made and what lessons can be learned so the SPFL function more effectively and harmoniously in the years to come.

If there has been subterfuge then it must be exposed and the perpetrators weeded out.

It was claimed last week that representatives of one club were so disturbed by what had taken place that they were considering involving the police. It hardly reflects well on the body responsible for overseeing proceedings. An independent investigation is a must if trust is to be restored. Otherwise the ill-feeling and suspicion will linger and continue to do damage.