On June 28, 2025, Blaise Metreweli, the newly appointed MI6 chief and the agency’s first female leader, faced scrutiny after reports linked her grandfather, Constantine Dobrowolski, to Nazi collaboration during World War II.
The revelation, reported by the Daily Mail and the BBC, has sparked debate about her suitability, though MI6 defends her dedication to UK security. Consequently, the controversy highlights the challenges of historical ties in modern leadership roles.
MI6 distances its new chief from Nazi grandfather https://t.co/STvch0Hcwc
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) June 27, 2025Archival records identify Dobrowolski as “Agent No. 30,” nicknamed “The Butcher,” for allegedly killing Jews while infiltrating the Red Army as a Nazi spy in Chernihiv, Ukraine. The Foreign Office, speaking on behalf of MI6, clarified that Metreweli, 47, had no contact with her grandfather and limited knowledge of his past. Her family’s complex Eastern European history fuels her commitment to preventing conflict, a spokesperson told the BBC. This defence aims to separate Metreweli’s career from her ancestry.
Blaise Metreweli’s grandfather was a defector from the Red Army who became a German spy chief and participated in the murder of Jews and Ukrainian partisans https://t.co/lTxURi0fed
— The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) June 27, 2025Metreweli, currently the head of technology at MI6 and known as “Q,” joined the agency in 1999. She has held operational roles across the Middle East and Europe, according to a government statement. Metreweli succeeds Richard Moore, who will step down this autumn after serving in the position for five years. As MI6 joins MI5 and GCHQ in appointing a female leader, Metreweli will face challenges from Russia, China, and Iran, particularly concerning Russia’s alleged sabotage activities in Europe.
🔴 New MI6 chief’s grandfather was Nazi spy known as ‘The Butcher’https://t.co/q1Fl5tC2ly
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 27, 2025The revelation has sparked a public debate, with various posts reflecting a mix of sentiments. Some question her appointment, but the overall outcome remains inconclusive. MI6’s defence highlights Metreweli’s expertise and loyalty, dismissing her ancestral ties as irrelevant. However, critics argue that the controversy could undermine her credibility in high-stakes diplomacy, particularly given Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
