SpaceX has fired “a number of employees” responsible for an open letter critical of the behaviour of chief executive officer Elon Musk, according to an internal memo. It is an unusual clash hinting at growing discord over the billionaire’s controversial comments.

The open letter called Mr Musk’s behaviour and tweets “a frequent source of distraction and embarrassment for us, particularly in recent weeks”. The document, which began circulating among staff in recent days, called on SpaceX leadership to condemn and distance itself from Mr Musk’s “personal brand”.

Bloomberg