Apple's Scott Forstall sacked over Maps apology

Apple's Scott Forstall was sacked after refusing to sign a letter apologising for the heavily criticised mapping app.

The mobile software chief was given his marching orders yesterday in a company shake-up, but no reason for given for the departure.

Forstall's refusal to sign the apology "appeared to play a major role in his dismissal", according to the New York Times.

Apple CEO Tim Cook eventually signed the letter to customers, saying the company was "extremely sorry" for the errors and inaccurate data.

But because the apology didn't come from Forstall, who felt the criticisms were exaggerated, Apple are alleged to acknowledged it played a heavy part in his dismissal.

Forstall will be leaving the company next year and will serve as an advisor to CEO Tim Cook in the interim.

During yesterday's shake-up retail head John Browett was also fired, after a string of errors at the Silicon Valley company.

Browett, with the firm since January, was responsible for cutting staff hours at Apple's retail stores as well as replacing Google Maps with the firm's first mapping application.

But with these decisions reversed and criticised respectively, Apple is now seeking an immediate replacement in the role.