Chris Robinson arrives at Hampden

Splits within the Scottish Premier League appeared to grow deeper on Wednesday when Hearts chief executive Chris Robinson resigned from the league's board.

But he insisted that there was no divide within the 10 clubs outside the Old Firm despite suggestions that Kilmarnock, Partick Thistle and Livingston want more compromise.

The move appears to have been designed to force the board to disclose details of Old Firm broadcasting of football highlights on the internet.

Following a board meeting at Hampden Park, Robinson said: "The reason for the resignation was irreconcilable differences with fellow board members and a conflict of interest."

Robinson has been a prime mover in the so-called "rebel 10" non-Old Firm clubs.

The 12 clubs must get round the table and take as long as it requires to decide this matter Sir John Orr Kilmarnock chairman

A meeting of all 12 clubs was due to be held on Wednesday, but this was postponed and a board meeting convened instead.

The board recorded its "grave disappointment that Chris Robinson had intimated - late on Tuesday 26 November - that nine of the clubs would not be represented at today's scheduled meeting".

SPL chairman Lex Gold said: "Following a discussion regarding Mr Robinson's actions, he offered his resignation as an SPL director.

"This was unanimously accepted by the other members of the board."

A general meeting of the member clubs was then convened, where the other clubs will have the chance to quiz the remainder of the board about the question of internet rights.

McClelland (right): says he wants peace

There have been suggestions that some of the other 10 clubs are more keen on reconciliation and that appeared to surface at Wednesday's board meeting.

It was also attended by outgoing chief executive Roger Mitchell, Gold, Kilmarnock chairman Sir John Orr and Rangers chairman John McClelland.

Kilmarnock appear to be on the side of the doves rather than the hawks and Orr left Hampden with McClelland, with Robinson having long since departed the scene.

Orr said: "What must happen in the short-term is that the 12 clubs must get round the table and take as long as it requires to decide this matter."