Latest news with #Metreweli
Express Tribune
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
ChatGPT said: UK distances new MI6 chief from Nazi spy grandfather
Metreweli, 47, will be the 18th head of MI6. PHOTO: YAHOO NEWS MALAYSIA Listen to article 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. 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
28-06-2025
- Politics
- 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.
The Advertiser
28-06-2025
- Politics
- 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.
Canada Standard
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Incoming MI6 boss grandfather was Ukrainian Nazi Butcher media
The Daily Mail has confirmed that Blaise Metrewelis grandfather was a war criminal, claiming this has no bearing on her service The Daily Mail has revealed that the grandfather of Blaise Metreweli, who is expected to become the first woman to lead the foreign intelligence service (MI6), was a Nazi collaborator who oversaw atrocities in occupied Ukraine. Metreweli's father, Constantine, was naturalized in British-administered Hong Kong in 1966. The London Gazetteidentifiedhim at the time as Dobrowolski, known as Constantine Metreweli, of uncertain nationality. In a story published Thursday, the Mail confirmed that Constantine was the son of a German-Polish Ukrainian man - also named Constantine - who worked for the Nazis and was implicated in the mass killing of Jews and other atrocities during World War II. The newspaper said it had reviewed "hundreds of pages of documents held in archives in Freiburg, Germany, detailing the extraordinary - and blood-soaked - life and times of Dobrowolski, which are themselves worthy of a spy thriller." According to the records, Dobrowolski Sr. was born into a family of noble landowners in what is now Ukraine's Chernigov Region. Following the Bolshevik Revolution, the estate was violently plundered, leading the younger Constantine to become a fierce enemy of the new authorities. He was imprisoned in 1926 for anti-Soviet and anti-Semitic agitation. He joined the German occupiers at the first opportunity in 1941, and earned the nickname 'Butcher' for his brutal actions. He is believed to have been killed in 1943. His wife, Barbara (nee Varvara Andreeva), married Georgian-born David Metreweli in Yorkshire in 1947. The Mail alleged that the Russian government is attempting to exploit Metreweli's family history in an effort to discredit her appointment. While Russian media reported on the announcement of the first female MI6 chief and her family's ties to Ukraine and Hong Kong, the British media appears to be the first to make the Nazi connection. "Ms. Metreweli cannot be judged for the sins of her grandfather," the paper stated. "One of our nation's most formidable intelligence operatives, she has served her country with distinction on dangerous operations for MI6 across Europe and the Middle East for two decades." READ MORE: Zelensky has a Nazi problem. He cant lie his way out of it Western nations sheltered thousands of Ukrainian Nazi collaborators after World War II. Many of them were recruited by the CIA to take part in covert operations against the Soviet Union, with a guerrilla war in western Ukraine continuing into the 1950s. In 2023, Canadian lawmakers gave a standing ovation to SS veteran Yaroslav Hunka during a visit by Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky. In Kiev, historical figures associated with wartime nationalist movements, including war criminals, have been honored as national heroes. (
Canada Standard
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Incoming MI6 boss grandfather was Ukrainian Nazi Butcher UK media
The Daily Mail has confirmed that Blaise Metrewelis grandfather was a war criminal, while claiming this has no bearing on her service The Daily Mail has revealed that the grandfather of Blaise Metreweli, who is expected to become the first woman to lead the UK's foreign intelligence service (MI6), was a Nazi collaborator who oversaw atrocities in occupied Ukraine. Metreweli's father, Constantine, was naturalized in British-administered Hong Kong in 1966. The London Gazetteidentifiedhim at the time as Dobrowolski, known as Constantine Metreweli, of uncertain nationality. In a story published Thursday, the Mail confirmed that Constantine was the son of a German-Polish Ukrainian man - also named Constantine - who worked for the Nazis and was implicated in the mass killing of Jews and other atrocities during World War II. The newspaper said it had reviewed "hundreds of pages of documents held in archives in Freiburg, Germany, detailing the extraordinary - and blood-soaked - life and times of Dobrowolski, which are themselves worthy of a spy thriller." According to the records, Dobrowolski Sr. was born into a family of noble landowners in what is now Ukraine's Chernigov Region. Following the Bolshevik Revolution, the estate was violently plundered, leading the younger Constantine to become a fierce enemy of the new authorities. He was imprisoned in 1926 for anti-Soviet and anti-Semitic agitation. He joined the German occupiers at the first opportunity in 1941, and earned the nickname 'Butcher' for his brutal actions. He is believed to have been killed in 1943. His wife, Barbara (nee Varvara Andreeva), married Georgian-born David Metreweli in Yorkshire in 1947. The Mail alleged that the Russian government is attempting to exploit Metreweli's family history in an effort to discredit her appointment. While Russian media reported on the announcement of the first female MI6 chief and her family's ties to Ukraine and Hong Kong, the British media appears to be the first to make the Nazi connection. "Ms. Metreweli cannot be judged for the sins of her grandfather," the paper stated. "One of our nation's most formidable intelligence operatives, she has served her country with distinction on dangerous operations for MI6 across Europe and the Middle East for two decades." READ MORE: Zelensky has a Nazi problem. He cant lie his way out of it Western nations sheltered thousands of Ukrainian Nazi collaborators after World War II. Many of them were recruited by the CIA to take part in covert operations against the Soviet Union, with a guerrilla war in western Ukraine continuing into the 1950s. In 2023, Canadian lawmakers gave a standing ovation to SS veteran Yaroslav Hunka during a visit by Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky. In Kiev, historical figures associated with wartime nationalist movements, including war criminals, have been honored as national heroes. (
