John Bowen, a self-confessed British agent, appeared at an IRSP press conference on Wednesday morning. At the press conference it was highlighted that the RUC had used John Bowen to suggest a murder to break the INLA cease-fire.

After the press conference was over, John Bowen then left the IRSP offices in the company of a well respected West Belfast cleric.

John Bowen then disappeared from his place of safety and it is our belief that he is in the hands of the RUC and is being held incommunicado from his family.

The IRSP share the concern of John Bowen's family that he is being coerced into making unfounded allegations in an attempt by the RUC to muddy the waters in relation to their attempt to initiate a breaking of the INLA ceasefire. We also support the family in their call for John Bowen to be returned to the safety of his family.