Hollande aide quits over high lifestyle claims

A close adviser to François Hollande has resigned after allegations about an alleged conflict of interest and his extravagant lifestyle, in a fresh blow to the beleaguered French president.

Senior political adviser Aquilino Morelle said he was stepping down but denied any wrongdoing.

“In the last 48 hours I have had to deal with insinuations and allegations calling my honour into question,” he said. “I want to reiterate that I committed no fault. I was never in a situation of conflict of interest,” Morelle said.