Grandfather of new MI6 chief was a Nazi spy: reports
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.
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The Advertiser
10 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.
Canberra Times
12 hours ago
- Canberra Times
Grandfather of new MI6 chief was a Nazi spy: reports
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.
West Australian
16 hours ago
- West Australian
US, Trump expected to ramp up pressure on Australia to boost defence spending after NATO pledges
The US will continue to put pressure on Australia to boost its defence spending after a pledge from European leaders, a former ambassador says. NATO member nations have agreed to spend five per cent of their economic output on defence, and security more broadly, following demands by US President Donald Trump. The US has called on Australia to massively increase the defence budget by tens of billions of dollars to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product. But Mr Albanese is standing firm and has maintained Australia will decide its spending. Former ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said the best strategy for Australia was to engage with the US on extra capabilities that would best complement the two countries' aims for the Indo-Pacific. 'The pressure from the US for allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific to increase defence spending will continue, particularly in the light of commitments made at the recent NATO summit,' he told AAP. Mr Albanese is trying to secure his first face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump, after planned talks on the sidelines of the G7 summit earlier in June were cancelled due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Analyst Andrew Carr said the federal government was very aware the Trump administration represented a more 'vindictive' ally in Washington. 'Access to Australian facilities has often been to the Americans far more important than Australia's own military capabilities,' he said. 'If we're being seen to kind of 'play ball' on a whole range of political intelligence, basing and other areas, then the spending is going to be a small part of that story.' The Pentagon's 30-day review of its nuclear submarine deal with Australia under the AUKUS partnership is under way. Mr Sinodinos said there was strong support for the security pact within the state department and Congress. Defence analysts believe Mr Trump is unlikely to scrap the $368 billion submarine program altogether but might demand a bigger contribution from Australia for the US submarine industrial base. Australia has already made a first $800 million down-payment of a total $4.7 billion for its plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
