New MI6 Chief is the Granddaughter of Notorious Ukrainian Nazi Collaborator ‘The Butcher’

The British government faces a fresh controversy as it emerges that Blaise Metreweli, the newly appointed head of MI6, is the granddaughter of a notorious Nazi collaborator. This revelation has turned into a significant embarrassment for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration. The appointment of Metreweli, the first female chief of the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service, had been initially celebrated by left-wing circles.

Metreweli’s background is intriguing, having been born in 1977 to a radiologist and a British military veteran, and raised in Hong Kong. She is set to replace Sir Richard Moore later this year, after spearheading technology and innovation at MI6. In a statement, Metreweli expressed being “proud and honoured” upon learning of her new role.

Her academic journey saw her attending Pembroke College at Cambridge University before entering the British Foreign Service at age 22. Throughout her career, Metreweli has been stationed in various regions, including the Middle East and Europe. However, it is her family’s past that has sparked the current uproar.

The Daily Mail uncovered shocking details about Metreweli’s grandfather, Constantine Dobrowolski, a Soviet defector who allied with the Nazis. Known as “The Butcher,” Dobrowolski served as a brutal enforcer during the German occupation of Ukraine. Documents from a German archive reveal that he was a key figure within the Wehrmacht’s intelligence services.

Dobrowolski’s actions during the war were heinous, including signing letters with “Heil Hitler” and aiding in the extermination of Jews. He was involved in the execution of Ukrainian resistance fighters and was notorious for looting and heinous acts against female prisoners. His role as local intelligence chief saw him boasting of “cleansing” areas of so-called undesirable elements.

In December 1941, Dobrowolski received commendation for his role in executing hundreds of Jews, leading the Soviets to place a bounty on his head. A Red Army lieutenant colonel even offered a significant reward for his capture, dead or alive. Dobrowolski was despised by both the Soviets and the local populace for his ruthless actions.

His allegiance to the Nazis was unwavering, earning him the trust of his German handlers. They regarded him as a staunch anti-Bolshevik and granted him a pass to move his family to safety. Before the Soviet forces regained control of the Chernihiv region, Dobrowolski managed to relocate his wife and son to Germany.

After the war, Dobrowolski’s wife, Varvara, fled to Britain with her son, adopting the name Barbara. Her son, Constantine, later took on the surname Metreweli after his mother remarried. Despite these changes, the shadow of Dobrowolski’s past lingers over the family.

In response to the controversy, the British government is attempting to distance Metreweli from her grandfather’s actions. The Foreign Office clarified that Metreweli had no knowledge or connection to her paternal grandfather. They emphasized her commitment to using her complex heritage to prevent conflict in her new role.

Russian officials, however, seized on the opportunity to criticize the West. Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, hinted at a deliberate placement of Nazi descendants in leadership roles. This incident has added fuel to the existing tensions between Russia and the West.

Amidst the controversy, Metreweli’s capability and dedication to her new role remain paramount. Her appointment marks a significant milestone for women in intelligence leadership positions. As the new chief of MI6, she faces the task of navigating modern threats while contending with the legacy of her family’s past.