NATO Commander Tinder Romance Triggers Counterintelligence Investigation at Allied Maritime Command Over Suspected Russian Espionage

A senior Spanish naval officer at NATO's Allied Maritime Command in Northwood, Hertfordshire, was suspended and returned to Spain in summer 2025 after NATO and Spanish security officials opened separate counterintelligence investigations into his relationship with Janina White, a 49-year-old UK-Polish dual national born in Soviet Russia who lives in Romford, southeast London, according to Telegraph reporting on court documents 123. The married father of two, who had separated from his wife shortly before meeting White on Tinder in October 2024, drew scrutiny after White obtained a visitor pass to attend a Northwood Warrant Officers' and Senior Rates' mess Christmas event on December 12, 2024. Spanish authorities suspended his national security clearance in mid-2025, while the UK was not party to that process 34. Northwood's commander revoked the officer's access pass on June 19, 2025, and in August 2025 he and White were denied entry to the base and left after police were called without arrest 15. White has denied any espionage role, says no investigation has substantiated it, and told the Telegraph that during a St. Petersburg visit last month a man identifying himself as an FSB officer named Andrei questioned her for roughly two hours about the investigation and her former relationship 45. White has since filed a discrimination claim against the Ministry of Defence and is seeking judicial review of her designation as an "adverse security risk" 15.