PARIS (AP) — The French president’s top adviser resigned Friday following allegations of a past conflict of interest, striking a new blow to the already unpopular Francois Hollande.

Aquilino Morelle —Hollande’s political adviser and head of his communication staff — had denied allegations by the news website Mediapart that his work for the government pharmaceutical regulator in 2007 while also lobbying for the drug industry was a conflict of interest.