Frederick Forsyth, Day of the Jackal author and former MI6 agent, dies at 86
His agent Jonathan Lloyd said: 'We mourn the passing of one of the world's greatest thriller writers.
The former RAF pilot and investigative journalist went on to write novels including The Fox, The Kill List, and The Afghan. Hie was the author that turned his adventures as a journalist and work with MI6 into bestselling thrillers.
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The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
U.K. distances new spy chief from 'Nazi' grandfather
The British government has distanced the incoming head of its foreign intelligence service from her grandfather following reports he was a Nazi spy known as "the butcher". Blaise Metreweli will, in the autumn, become the first woman to lead MI6 in its 116-year-old history, the British government announced earlier this month. The Daily Mail newspaper reported this week that her grandfather Constantine Dobrowolski defected from the Soviet Union's Red Army to become a Nazi informant in the Chernigiv region of modern-day Ukraine. The newspaper said German archives showed Dobrowolski was known as "the Butcher" or "Agent No 30" by Wehrmacht commanders. "Blaise Metreweli neither knew nor met her paternal grandfather," a Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement. "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." The Daily Mail said Dobrowolski had a 50,000 ruble bounty placed on him by Soviet leaders, and was dubbed the "worst enemy of the Ukrainian people". He also sent letters to superiors saying he "personally" took part "in the extermination of the Jews", the newspaper added. The head of MI6 is the only publicly named member of the organisation and reports directly to the Foreign Minister. Ms. Metreweli, 47, will be the 18th head of MI6. Like her predecessors, she will be referred to as "C", not "M" as the chief is called in the James Bond film franchise.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
UK distances new spy chief from 'Nazi' grandfather
The British government has distanced the incoming head of its foreign intelligence service from her grandfather following reports he was a Nazi spy known as "the butcher". Blaise Metreweli will in the autumn become the first woman to lead MI6 in its 116-year-old history, the British government announced earlier this month. The Daily Mail newspaper reported this week that her grandfather Constantine Dobrowolski defected from the Soviet Union's Red Army to become a Nazi informant in the Chernigiv region of modern-day Ukraine. The newspaper said German archives showed Dobrowolski was known as "the Butcher" or "Agent No 30" by Wehrmacht commanders. "Blaise Metreweli neither knew nor met her paternal grandfather," a Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement. Live Events "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." The Daily Mail said Dobrowolski had a 50,000 ruble bounty placed on him by Soviet leaders, and was dubbed the "worst enemy of the Ukrainian people". He also sent letters to superiors saying he "personally" took part "in the extermination of the Jews", the newspaper added. The head of MI6 is the only publicly named member of the organisation and reports directly to the foreign minister. Metreweli, 47, will be the 18th head of MI6. Like her predecessors she will be referred to as "C", not "M" as the chief is called in the James Bond film franchise.
NDTV
5 days ago
- NDTV
New MI6 Chief's Grandfather Was Infamous Nazi Spy Nicknamed 'The Butcher': Report
The newly appointed MI6 chief, Blaise Metreweli, is making headlines not only for becoming the agency's first female leader but also due to shocking revelations about her ancestry. According to a Daily Mail report, Metreweli's grandfather, Constantine Dobrowolski, was a notorious Nazi collaborator during World War II. Archival German records reveal that he infiltrated the Red Army as a spy and was known to Wehrmacht commanders as "Agent No. 30" and chillingly, "The Butcher," for allegedly boasting about killing Jews. According to the BBC, MI6 has distanced itself from the past of its incoming chief, Blaise Metreweli, following reports about her grandfather's Nazi links. Historical records identify her grandfather as Constantine Dobrowolski, a former Red Army defector who became the Nazis' lead informant in Chernihiv, Ukraine. However, the Foreign Office, speaking on behalf of MI6, clarified that Metreweli had no knowledge of or contact with her paternal grandfather. A spokesperson stated, "Blaise's family history, marked by conflict and division, common among those with Eastern European roots, is only partly known. It is this very complexity that fuels her dedication to preventing conflict and defending the UK from today's hostile threats as the next MI6 chief." Blaise Metreweli, 47, who is currently MI6's head of technology, known as "Q", joined the Secret Intelligence Service in 1999, and has spent most of her career in operational roles in the Middle East and Europe, the government said in a statement. Richard Moore, the current chief of MI6, will step down in the autumn after a five-year tenure. MI6, founded in 1909, joins the other main British spy agencies, the domestic spy service MI5, and the intelligence communications agency GCHQ, in having appointed a female head. Metreweli's biggest challenges are likely to be dealing with Russia, China and Iran. Britain's spy agencies have accused Russia of waging a campaign of sabotage across Europe to scare other countries off from backing Ukraine in its fight against a Russian invasion.
