MI6 chief's grandfather was a Nazi spy involved in atrocities

In June 2025, Blaise Metreweli was appointed as the first female head of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, MI6. Born into a complicated heritage, Metreweli's family roots can be traced back to a notorious figure during World War II. Her grandfather, Constantine Dobrowolski, was a Ukrainian defector from the Red Army who became a German spy known for his brutal actions against Jews and Ukrainian partisans. According to German archival documents, he was involved in massacres and atrocities that left a significant mark on history. During the war, Metreweli never knew him personally, as he stayed in Ukraine while her family fled the advancing Soviet forces in 1943. The last known records of Dobrowolski date back to August 1943 before Chernihiv was liberated by Soviet troops. Following the war, his wife and son resettled in Britain, where Metreweli’s father adopted his stepfather's surname and grew up without knowledge of his biological father's notorious past. Metreweli has spent her career dedicated to espionage, having joined MI6 shortly after her graduation from Pembroke College in Cambridge. A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office noted that her complex heritage significantly influences her commitment to preventing modern conflict and safeguarding the British public against current threats from hostile states. This revelation has raised discussions regarding family legacies and the impacts of historical actions, particularly in the context of intelligence leadership today.