Grandfather of new MI6 chief was a Nazi spy: reports
The grandfather of the incoming head of Britain's MI6 was a Nazi spy chief, according to media reports.
Blaise Metreweli was announced as the new chief of MI6 earlier this month, becoming the first woman to take on the role in the spy agency's 116-year history.
The Daily Mail reported her grandfather Constantine Dobrowolski had previously defected from the Red Army to become a Nazi informant in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine.
The newspaper said German archives showed Dobrowolski was known as "The Butcher" or "Agent No 30" by Wehrmacht commanders.
Reports also said the Nazi spy chief had a 50,000 rouble bounty placed on him by Soviet leaders, and was dubbed the "worst enemy of the Ukrainian people".
Metreweli's grandfather also sent letters to superiors saying he "personally" took part "in the extermination of the Jews", the newspaper said.
Metreweli will take over as head of MI6 from Richard Moore who will step down later this year after five years in the role.
Commonly referred to as C, the chief has operational responsibility for MI6, and is the only publicly named member of the organisation.
Metreweli first joined the MI6 as a case officer in 1999 and has carried out operational roles in the Middle East and Europe.
The Foreign office, which speaks on behalf of MI6, said: "Blaise Metreweli neither knew nor met her paternal grandfather. Blaise's ancestry is characterised by conflict and division and, as is the case for many with eastern European heritage, only partially understood.
"It is precisely this complex heritage which has contributed to her commitment to prevent conflict and protect the British public from modern threats from today's hostile states, as the next chief of MI6," a spokesperson said.
In her new post, Metreweli will be accountable to the Foreign Secretary.
The grandfather of the incoming head of Britain's MI6 was a Nazi spy chief, according to media reports.
Blaise Metreweli was announced as the new chief of MI6 earlier this month, becoming the first woman to take on the role in the spy agency's 116-year history.
The Daily Mail reported her grandfather Constantine Dobrowolski had previously defected from the Red Army to become a Nazi informant in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine.
The newspaper said German archives showed Dobrowolski was known as "The Butcher" or "Agent No 30" by Wehrmacht commanders.
Reports also said the Nazi spy chief had a 50,000 rouble bounty placed on him by Soviet leaders, and was dubbed the "worst enemy of the Ukrainian people".
Metreweli's grandfather also sent letters to superiors saying he "personally" took part "in the extermination of the Jews", the newspaper said.
Metreweli will take over as head of MI6 from Richard Moore who will step down later this year after five years in the role.
Commonly referred to as C, the chief has operational responsibility for MI6, and is the only publicly named member of the organisation.
Metreweli first joined the MI6 as a case officer in 1999 and has carried out operational roles in the Middle East and Europe.
The Foreign office, which speaks on behalf of MI6, said: "Blaise Metreweli neither knew nor met her paternal grandfather. Blaise's ancestry is characterised by conflict and division and, as is the case for many with eastern European heritage, only partially understood.
"It is precisely this complex heritage which has contributed to her commitment to prevent conflict and protect the British public from modern threats from today's hostile states, as the next chief of MI6," a spokesperson said.
In her new post, Metreweli will be accountable to the Foreign Secretary.
The grandfather of the incoming head of Britain's MI6 was a Nazi spy chief, according to media reports.
Blaise Metreweli was announced as the new chief of MI6 earlier this month, becoming the first woman to take on the role in the spy agency's 116-year history.
The Daily Mail reported her grandfather Constantine Dobrowolski had previously defected from the Red Army to become a Nazi informant in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine.
The newspaper said German archives showed Dobrowolski was known as "The Butcher" or "Agent No 30" by Wehrmacht commanders.
Reports also said the Nazi spy chief had a 50,000 rouble bounty placed on him by Soviet leaders, and was dubbed the "worst enemy of the Ukrainian people".
Metreweli's grandfather also sent letters to superiors saying he "personally" took part "in the extermination of the Jews", the newspaper said.
Metreweli will take over as head of MI6 from Richard Moore who will step down later this year after five years in the role.
Commonly referred to as C, the chief has operational responsibility for MI6, and is the only publicly named member of the organisation.
Metreweli first joined the MI6 as a case officer in 1999 and has carried out operational roles in the Middle East and Europe.
The Foreign office, which speaks on behalf of MI6, said: "Blaise Metreweli neither knew nor met her paternal grandfather. Blaise's ancestry is characterised by conflict and division and, as is the case for many with eastern European heritage, only partially understood.
"It is precisely this complex heritage which has contributed to her commitment to prevent conflict and protect the British public from modern threats from today's hostile states, as the next chief of MI6," a spokesperson said.
In her new post, Metreweli will be accountable to the Foreign Secretary.
The grandfather of the incoming head of Britain's MI6 was a Nazi spy chief, according to media reports.
Blaise Metreweli was announced as the new chief of MI6 earlier this month, becoming the first woman to take on the role in the spy agency's 116-year history.
The Daily Mail reported her grandfather Constantine Dobrowolski had previously defected from the Red Army to become a Nazi informant in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine.
The newspaper said German archives showed Dobrowolski was known as "The Butcher" or "Agent No 30" by Wehrmacht commanders.
Reports also said the Nazi spy chief had a 50,000 rouble bounty placed on him by Soviet leaders, and was dubbed the "worst enemy of the Ukrainian people".
Metreweli's grandfather also sent letters to superiors saying he "personally" took part "in the extermination of the Jews", the newspaper said.
Metreweli will take over as head of MI6 from Richard Moore who will step down later this year after five years in the role.
Commonly referred to as C, the chief has operational responsibility for MI6, and is the only publicly named member of the organisation.
Metreweli first joined the MI6 as a case officer in 1999 and has carried out operational roles in the Middle East and Europe.
The Foreign office, which speaks on behalf of MI6, said: "Blaise Metreweli neither knew nor met her paternal grandfather. Blaise's ancestry is characterised by conflict and division and, as is the case for many with eastern European heritage, only partially understood.
"It is precisely this complex heritage which has contributed to her commitment to prevent conflict and protect the British public from modern threats from today's hostile states, as the next chief of MI6," a spokesperson said.
In her new post, Metreweli will be accountable to the Foreign Secretary.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Seven killed in Ukraine, Putin to cut military spending
Russian missile attacks have killed at least seven people and wounded more than 20 in southern Ukraine, officials say. Five people were killed in the industrial city of Samar in Ukraine's southeast, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said on the Telegram app. Officials gave no immediate details on damage in the city, where an attack on an unidentified infrastructure facility on Tuesday killed two people. In the port city of Odessa, Russian combat drones killed at least two people and wounded six overnight, military administrator Oleh Kiper said. One drone struck the upper floors of a 21-storey residential building, causing a fire. After extinguishing the blaze, rescuers discovered the bodies of a married couple in the rubble, Kiper reported. There were several explosions in the city and fires broke out in several districts, Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov said. Hundreds of kilometres to the south, in the Kherson region, authorities urged residents to prepare for extended periods without power after a Russian attack hit a key energy facility. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram that "Russians decided to plunge the region into darkness". In recent weeks Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian cities, particularly its capital Kyiv, more than three years into the war that followed its full-scale invasion. Separately, President Vladimir Putin announced Russia was looking to cut its military expenditure from next year, contrasting that with NATO's plan to ramp up defence spending over the next decade. NATO allies on Wednesday agreed to raise their collective spending goal to five per cent of gross domestic product in the next 10 years, citing what they called the long-term threat posed by Russia and the need to strengthen civil and military resilience. Putin told a press conference in Minsk the NATO spending would go on "purchases from the USA and on supporting their military-industrial complex", and this was NATO's business, not Russia's. "But now here is the most important thing. We are planning to reduce defence spending. For us, next year and the year after, over the next three-year period, we are planning for this," he said. Putin said there was no final agreement yet between the defence, finance and economy ministries, "but overall, everyone is thinking in this direction. And Europe is thinking about how to increase its spending, on the contrary. So who is preparing for some kind of aggressive actions? Us or them?" Putin's comments are likely to be greeted with extreme scepticism in the West, given that Russia has massively increased defence spending since the start of the Ukraine war. The conflict shows no sign of ending and has actually intensified in recent weeks, as negotiations have made no visible progress towards a ceasefire or a permanent settlement. Putin said Russia appreciated efforts by US President Donald Trump to bring an end to the war. "He recently stated that it turned out to be more difficult than it seemed from the outside. Well, that's true," Putin said. Trump said this week that he believed Putin wanted to find a way to settle the conflict, but Ukraine and many of its European allies believe the Kremlin leader has no real interest in a peace deal and is intent on capturing more territory. Putin said Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were in constant contact, and Moscow was ready to return the bodies of 3000 more Ukrainian soldiers. Russia is seeing a sharp slowdown in economic growth as the budget comes under pressure from falling energy revenues and the central bank is trying to bring down inflation. with AP and DPA Russian missile attacks have killed at least seven people and wounded more than 20 in southern Ukraine, officials say. Five people were killed in the industrial city of Samar in Ukraine's southeast, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said on the Telegram app. Officials gave no immediate details on damage in the city, where an attack on an unidentified infrastructure facility on Tuesday killed two people. In the port city of Odessa, Russian combat drones killed at least two people and wounded six overnight, military administrator Oleh Kiper said. One drone struck the upper floors of a 21-storey residential building, causing a fire. After extinguishing the blaze, rescuers discovered the bodies of a married couple in the rubble, Kiper reported. There were several explosions in the city and fires broke out in several districts, Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov said. Hundreds of kilometres to the south, in the Kherson region, authorities urged residents to prepare for extended periods without power after a Russian attack hit a key energy facility. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram that "Russians decided to plunge the region into darkness". In recent weeks Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian cities, particularly its capital Kyiv, more than three years into the war that followed its full-scale invasion. Separately, President Vladimir Putin announced Russia was looking to cut its military expenditure from next year, contrasting that with NATO's plan to ramp up defence spending over the next decade. NATO allies on Wednesday agreed to raise their collective spending goal to five per cent of gross domestic product in the next 10 years, citing what they called the long-term threat posed by Russia and the need to strengthen civil and military resilience. Putin told a press conference in Minsk the NATO spending would go on "purchases from the USA and on supporting their military-industrial complex", and this was NATO's business, not Russia's. "But now here is the most important thing. We are planning to reduce defence spending. For us, next year and the year after, over the next three-year period, we are planning for this," he said. Putin said there was no final agreement yet between the defence, finance and economy ministries, "but overall, everyone is thinking in this direction. And Europe is thinking about how to increase its spending, on the contrary. So who is preparing for some kind of aggressive actions? Us or them?" Putin's comments are likely to be greeted with extreme scepticism in the West, given that Russia has massively increased defence spending since the start of the Ukraine war. The conflict shows no sign of ending and has actually intensified in recent weeks, as negotiations have made no visible progress towards a ceasefire or a permanent settlement. Putin said Russia appreciated efforts by US President Donald Trump to bring an end to the war. "He recently stated that it turned out to be more difficult than it seemed from the outside. Well, that's true," Putin said. Trump said this week that he believed Putin wanted to find a way to settle the conflict, but Ukraine and many of its European allies believe the Kremlin leader has no real interest in a peace deal and is intent on capturing more territory. Putin said Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were in constant contact, and Moscow was ready to return the bodies of 3000 more Ukrainian soldiers. Russia is seeing a sharp slowdown in economic growth as the budget comes under pressure from falling energy revenues and the central bank is trying to bring down inflation. with AP and DPA Russian missile attacks have killed at least seven people and wounded more than 20 in southern Ukraine, officials say. Five people were killed in the industrial city of Samar in Ukraine's southeast, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said on the Telegram app. Officials gave no immediate details on damage in the city, where an attack on an unidentified infrastructure facility on Tuesday killed two people. In the port city of Odessa, Russian combat drones killed at least two people and wounded six overnight, military administrator Oleh Kiper said. One drone struck the upper floors of a 21-storey residential building, causing a fire. After extinguishing the blaze, rescuers discovered the bodies of a married couple in the rubble, Kiper reported. There were several explosions in the city and fires broke out in several districts, Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov said. Hundreds of kilometres to the south, in the Kherson region, authorities urged residents to prepare for extended periods without power after a Russian attack hit a key energy facility. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram that "Russians decided to plunge the region into darkness". In recent weeks Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian cities, particularly its capital Kyiv, more than three years into the war that followed its full-scale invasion. Separately, President Vladimir Putin announced Russia was looking to cut its military expenditure from next year, contrasting that with NATO's plan to ramp up defence spending over the next decade. NATO allies on Wednesday agreed to raise their collective spending goal to five per cent of gross domestic product in the next 10 years, citing what they called the long-term threat posed by Russia and the need to strengthen civil and military resilience. Putin told a press conference in Minsk the NATO spending would go on "purchases from the USA and on supporting their military-industrial complex", and this was NATO's business, not Russia's. "But now here is the most important thing. We are planning to reduce defence spending. For us, next year and the year after, over the next three-year period, we are planning for this," he said. Putin said there was no final agreement yet between the defence, finance and economy ministries, "but overall, everyone is thinking in this direction. And Europe is thinking about how to increase its spending, on the contrary. So who is preparing for some kind of aggressive actions? Us or them?" Putin's comments are likely to be greeted with extreme scepticism in the West, given that Russia has massively increased defence spending since the start of the Ukraine war. The conflict shows no sign of ending and has actually intensified in recent weeks, as negotiations have made no visible progress towards a ceasefire or a permanent settlement. Putin said Russia appreciated efforts by US President Donald Trump to bring an end to the war. "He recently stated that it turned out to be more difficult than it seemed from the outside. Well, that's true," Putin said. Trump said this week that he believed Putin wanted to find a way to settle the conflict, but Ukraine and many of its European allies believe the Kremlin leader has no real interest in a peace deal and is intent on capturing more territory. Putin said Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were in constant contact, and Moscow was ready to return the bodies of 3000 more Ukrainian soldiers. Russia is seeing a sharp slowdown in economic growth as the budget comes under pressure from falling energy revenues and the central bank is trying to bring down inflation. with AP and DPA Russian missile attacks have killed at least seven people and wounded more than 20 in southern Ukraine, officials say. Five people were killed in the industrial city of Samar in Ukraine's southeast, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said on the Telegram app. Officials gave no immediate details on damage in the city, where an attack on an unidentified infrastructure facility on Tuesday killed two people. In the port city of Odessa, Russian combat drones killed at least two people and wounded six overnight, military administrator Oleh Kiper said. One drone struck the upper floors of a 21-storey residential building, causing a fire. After extinguishing the blaze, rescuers discovered the bodies of a married couple in the rubble, Kiper reported. There were several explosions in the city and fires broke out in several districts, Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov said. Hundreds of kilometres to the south, in the Kherson region, authorities urged residents to prepare for extended periods without power after a Russian attack hit a key energy facility. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram that "Russians decided to plunge the region into darkness". In recent weeks Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian cities, particularly its capital Kyiv, more than three years into the war that followed its full-scale invasion. Separately, President Vladimir Putin announced Russia was looking to cut its military expenditure from next year, contrasting that with NATO's plan to ramp up defence spending over the next decade. NATO allies on Wednesday agreed to raise their collective spending goal to five per cent of gross domestic product in the next 10 years, citing what they called the long-term threat posed by Russia and the need to strengthen civil and military resilience. Putin told a press conference in Minsk the NATO spending would go on "purchases from the USA and on supporting their military-industrial complex", and this was NATO's business, not Russia's. "But now here is the most important thing. We are planning to reduce defence spending. For us, next year and the year after, over the next three-year period, we are planning for this," he said. Putin said there was no final agreement yet between the defence, finance and economy ministries, "but overall, everyone is thinking in this direction. And Europe is thinking about how to increase its spending, on the contrary. So who is preparing for some kind of aggressive actions? Us or them?" Putin's comments are likely to be greeted with extreme scepticism in the West, given that Russia has massively increased defence spending since the start of the Ukraine war. The conflict shows no sign of ending and has actually intensified in recent weeks, as negotiations have made no visible progress towards a ceasefire or a permanent settlement. Putin said Russia appreciated efforts by US President Donald Trump to bring an end to the war. "He recently stated that it turned out to be more difficult than it seemed from the outside. Well, that's true," Putin said. Trump said this week that he believed Putin wanted to find a way to settle the conflict, but Ukraine and many of its European allies believe the Kremlin leader has no real interest in a peace deal and is intent on capturing more territory. Putin said Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were in constant contact, and Moscow was ready to return the bodies of 3000 more Ukrainian soldiers. Russia is seeing a sharp slowdown in economic growth as the budget comes under pressure from falling energy revenues and the central bank is trying to bring down inflation. with AP and DPA
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Three hurt during Bruce Springsteen concert in Germany
Three people have been injured by a metal object during Bruce Springsteen's concert in the western German city of Gelsenkirchen. Police said the object weighing several kilograms fell from the ceiling during the US rock legend's show on Friday night. Two women, aged 22 and 50, and a man, 48, were injured and taken to hospital. Despite the incident, the concert continued, a police spokesman said. Gelsenkirchen is nearly 60km north-east of Dusseldorf in Germany's most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia. Police said initial findings showed that a piece of more than a metre detached from a corner of the video cube. The area beneath the cube was cordoned off. Police are investigating why the metal object fell and also whether other parts could have potentially come loose. Thousands of fans attended Springsteen's concert at Gelsenkirchen's Veltins Arena. It was the rock star's third and final performance in Germany as part of his European tour, following earlier shows in Berlin and Frankfurt. Three people have been injured by a metal object during Bruce Springsteen's concert in the western German city of Gelsenkirchen. Police said the object weighing several kilograms fell from the ceiling during the US rock legend's show on Friday night. Two women, aged 22 and 50, and a man, 48, were injured and taken to hospital. Despite the incident, the concert continued, a police spokesman said. Gelsenkirchen is nearly 60km north-east of Dusseldorf in Germany's most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia. Police said initial findings showed that a piece of more than a metre detached from a corner of the video cube. The area beneath the cube was cordoned off. Police are investigating why the metal object fell and also whether other parts could have potentially come loose. Thousands of fans attended Springsteen's concert at Gelsenkirchen's Veltins Arena. It was the rock star's third and final performance in Germany as part of his European tour, following earlier shows in Berlin and Frankfurt. Three people have been injured by a metal object during Bruce Springsteen's concert in the western German city of Gelsenkirchen. Police said the object weighing several kilograms fell from the ceiling during the US rock legend's show on Friday night. Two women, aged 22 and 50, and a man, 48, were injured and taken to hospital. Despite the incident, the concert continued, a police spokesman said. Gelsenkirchen is nearly 60km north-east of Dusseldorf in Germany's most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia. Police said initial findings showed that a piece of more than a metre detached from a corner of the video cube. The area beneath the cube was cordoned off. Police are investigating why the metal object fell and also whether other parts could have potentially come loose. Thousands of fans attended Springsteen's concert at Gelsenkirchen's Veltins Arena. It was the rock star's third and final performance in Germany as part of his European tour, following earlier shows in Berlin and Frankfurt. Three people have been injured by a metal object during Bruce Springsteen's concert in the western German city of Gelsenkirchen. Police said the object weighing several kilograms fell from the ceiling during the US rock legend's show on Friday night. Two women, aged 22 and 50, and a man, 48, were injured and taken to hospital. Despite the incident, the concert continued, a police spokesman said. Gelsenkirchen is nearly 60km north-east of Dusseldorf in Germany's most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia. Police said initial findings showed that a piece of more than a metre detached from a corner of the video cube. The area beneath the cube was cordoned off. Police are investigating why the metal object fell and also whether other parts could have potentially come loose. Thousands of fans attended Springsteen's concert at Gelsenkirchen's Veltins Arena. It was the rock star's third and final performance in Germany as part of his European tour, following earlier shows in Berlin and Frankfurt.
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Grandfather of new MI6 chief was a Nazi spy: reports
The grandfather of the incoming head of Britain's MI6 was a Nazi spy chief, according to media reports. Blaise Metreweli was announced as the new chief of MI6 earlier this month, becoming the first woman to take on the role in the spy agency's 116-year history. The Daily Mail reported her grandfather Constantine Dobrowolski had previously defected from the Red Army to become a Nazi informant in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine. The newspaper said German archives showed Dobrowolski was known as "The Butcher" or "Agent No 30" by Wehrmacht commanders. Reports also said the Nazi spy chief had a 50,000 rouble bounty placed on him by Soviet leaders, and was dubbed the "worst enemy of the Ukrainian people". Metreweli's grandfather also sent letters to superiors saying he "personally" took part "in the extermination of the Jews", the newspaper said. Metreweli will take over as head of MI6 from Richard Moore who will step down later this year after five years in the role. Commonly referred to as C, the chief has operational responsibility for MI6, and is the only publicly named member of the organisation. Metreweli first joined the MI6 as a case officer in 1999 and has carried out operational roles in the Middle East and Europe. The Foreign office, which speaks on behalf of MI6, said: "Blaise Metreweli neither knew nor met her paternal grandfather. Blaise's ancestry is characterised by conflict and division and, as is the case for many with eastern European heritage, only partially understood. "It is precisely this complex heritage which has contributed to her commitment to prevent conflict and protect the British public from modern threats from today's hostile states, as the next chief of MI6," a spokesperson said. In her new post, Metreweli will be accountable to the Foreign Secretary. The grandfather of the incoming head of Britain's MI6 was a Nazi spy chief, according to media reports. Blaise Metreweli was announced as the new chief of MI6 earlier this month, becoming the first woman to take on the role in the spy agency's 116-year history. The Daily Mail reported her grandfather Constantine Dobrowolski had previously defected from the Red Army to become a Nazi informant in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine. The newspaper said German archives showed Dobrowolski was known as "The Butcher" or "Agent No 30" by Wehrmacht commanders. Reports also said the Nazi spy chief had a 50,000 rouble bounty placed on him by Soviet leaders, and was dubbed the "worst enemy of the Ukrainian people". Metreweli's grandfather also sent letters to superiors saying he "personally" took part "in the extermination of the Jews", the newspaper said. Metreweli will take over as head of MI6 from Richard Moore who will step down later this year after five years in the role. Commonly referred to as C, the chief has operational responsibility for MI6, and is the only publicly named member of the organisation. Metreweli first joined the MI6 as a case officer in 1999 and has carried out operational roles in the Middle East and Europe. The Foreign office, which speaks on behalf of MI6, said: "Blaise Metreweli neither knew nor met her paternal grandfather. Blaise's ancestry is characterised by conflict and division and, as is the case for many with eastern European heritage, only partially understood. "It is precisely this complex heritage which has contributed to her commitment to prevent conflict and protect the British public from modern threats from today's hostile states, as the next chief of MI6," a spokesperson said. In her new post, Metreweli will be accountable to the Foreign Secretary. The grandfather of the incoming head of Britain's MI6 was a Nazi spy chief, according to media reports. Blaise Metreweli was announced as the new chief of MI6 earlier this month, becoming the first woman to take on the role in the spy agency's 116-year history. The Daily Mail reported her grandfather Constantine Dobrowolski had previously defected from the Red Army to become a Nazi informant in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine. The newspaper said German archives showed Dobrowolski was known as "The Butcher" or "Agent No 30" by Wehrmacht commanders. Reports also said the Nazi spy chief had a 50,000 rouble bounty placed on him by Soviet leaders, and was dubbed the "worst enemy of the Ukrainian people". Metreweli's grandfather also sent letters to superiors saying he "personally" took part "in the extermination of the Jews", the newspaper said. Metreweli will take over as head of MI6 from Richard Moore who will step down later this year after five years in the role. Commonly referred to as C, the chief has operational responsibility for MI6, and is the only publicly named member of the organisation. Metreweli first joined the MI6 as a case officer in 1999 and has carried out operational roles in the Middle East and Europe. The Foreign office, which speaks on behalf of MI6, said: "Blaise Metreweli neither knew nor met her paternal grandfather. Blaise's ancestry is characterised by conflict and division and, as is the case for many with eastern European heritage, only partially understood. "It is precisely this complex heritage which has contributed to her commitment to prevent conflict and protect the British public from modern threats from today's hostile states, as the next chief of MI6," a spokesperson said. In her new post, Metreweli will be accountable to the Foreign Secretary. The grandfather of the incoming head of Britain's MI6 was a Nazi spy chief, according to media reports. Blaise Metreweli was announced as the new chief of MI6 earlier this month, becoming the first woman to take on the role in the spy agency's 116-year history. The Daily Mail reported her grandfather Constantine Dobrowolski had previously defected from the Red Army to become a Nazi informant in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine. The newspaper said German archives showed Dobrowolski was known as "The Butcher" or "Agent No 30" by Wehrmacht commanders. Reports also said the Nazi spy chief had a 50,000 rouble bounty placed on him by Soviet leaders, and was dubbed the "worst enemy of the Ukrainian people". Metreweli's grandfather also sent letters to superiors saying he "personally" took part "in the extermination of the Jews", the newspaper said. Metreweli will take over as head of MI6 from Richard Moore who will step down later this year after five years in the role. Commonly referred to as C, the chief has operational responsibility for MI6, and is the only publicly named member of the organisation. Metreweli first joined the MI6 as a case officer in 1999 and has carried out operational roles in the Middle East and Europe. The Foreign office, which speaks on behalf of MI6, said: "Blaise Metreweli neither knew nor met her paternal grandfather. Blaise's ancestry is characterised by conflict and division and, as is the case for many with eastern European heritage, only partially understood. "It is precisely this complex heritage which has contributed to her commitment to prevent conflict and protect the British public from modern threats from today's hostile states, as the next chief of MI6," a spokesperson said. In her new post, Metreweli will be accountable to the Foreign Secretary.
