Apple veteran and iOS VP Scott Forstall was fired today after he reportedly refused to sign a letter to Apple customers apologizing for the Apple Maps fiasco.

Forstall, 43, was at one point considered a shoe-in to replace Steve Jobs as CEO. That role went to Tim Cook instead. Cook is directly responsible for Forstall’s firing, say sources.

That’s a mighty big cock-slap, regardless of how bad Apple Maps is. Forstall’s no rookie.