'Human shield' shows cracks after volunteers reconsider whether they want to risk death

Many of the American and British protesters have left Iraq but those who have stayed remain stoical about the deprivations and dangers of forming a human shield. "I went to an English public school and that prepares you for just about everything," said Judith Empson with a smile.

Today, the international volunteers who have come to Iraq in an effort to stop bombing by the United States and Britain will travel to various strategic locations throughout the country. They should be in place by the end of the week.

They have been welcomed by the Iraqis, but there have been claims in the media in their home countries that they are "cowards" or "stooges" of Saddam Hussein.

In Baghdad, too, there are allegations that volunteers have fallen out with each other and of disagreements with the Iraqi government over exactly where they should position themselves. And the departure of about 30 Americans has not helped morale.

Ms Empson, 52, from Shropshire, said: "Some of the Americans went back because they had read that Bush may charge them with treason. That at least is what we were told. Most of the British are staying, but I think we shall each have our own decision to make in the future about what we do."

Nathan Chapman, a British student aged 20, had declared in Amman, the Jordanian capital, on the journey to Iraq that he was acting out of principle and "if this means dying, so be it". But he has gone back to Amman after six days in Iraq. "I think he is hoping to help in the operation from there," Ms Empson said. "Or he may come back. There are a lot of factors people had not taken fully into account. Many did not bring enough money, for example."

Ms Empson denied there had been a rift with officials. "Some volunteers wanted to camp out in front of hospitals. The feeling was that this may lead to problems in running the place, and it may have been rather traumatic for patients to think they might get bombed. So that was refused," she said.

Ms Empson, a researcher in economic and social affairs, has chosen to place herself at a food store. If and when the UN inspectors leave Iraq, she will reconsider whether to stay on.

Among those departing was Godfrey Meynell, 68, a former high sheriff of Derbyshire, who conceded he was "ashamed to be leaving" but was going out of "pure, cold fear".