Former High Sheriff heads to Iraq

The trip to Baghdad will take two weeks

A former High Sheriff of Derbyshire is travelling to Iraq to act as a human shield.

Godfrey Meynell, 68, from Kirk Langley, is travelling overland to Baghdad in a former London bus with other anti-war protesters.

Mr Meynell's family say he has gone to comfort Iraqi people - not to support Saddam Hussein's regime.

His son, Godfrey Jnr, said: "He wanted to go to Iraq... to show friendship and solidarity with the other Christian and Muslims in Iraq who are obviously going through a great time of fear.

Concerned son

In a world where so many words are spoken, it is acts of courage which speak loudly

Godfrey Meynell Jnr

"Obviously we are very worried about him coming home safely, but we are right behind him in terms of why he is going.

"It is a dangerous business and he and the other people on the bus are showing great courage.

"In a world where so many words are spoken, it is acts of courage which speak loudly.

"He believes we haven't got any moral authority to bring this war about."

Godfrey Jnr said it was likely his father would stay in Iraq even if war was declared.

"He felt that if he ran away just when the bombs were coming he would be undermining the reason he went... but his plans once he is there are slightly vague."