The phrase "former spy" refers to someone who used to work as a secret agent or intelligence officer for a government or organization but no longer holds that position. Full definition
Britain gives Putin until midnight to explain nerve attack on former spy, Reuters UN investigators cite Facebook role in Myanmar crisis, Reuters (canadianlawyermag.com)
And Times reporters watched undercover footage of Nix bragging in January that he had employed front companies and former spies in service of his political clients, as well as discussing ways of entrapping politicians in compromising situations. (nymag.com)
Vladimir Putin dismissed claims that Russia was behind the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, England, as «drivel». (tribunemagazine.org)