Brexit: House of Lords could delay Article 50 and trigger second EU referendum, Tory peer claims

The House of Lords could delay Brexit and help trigger a second referendum, a Conservative peer has suggested.

Baroness Wheatcroft said peers could withhold their approval of invoking Article 50, the process which triggers a country’s exit from the EU.

In an interview with The Times, she said: “If it comes to a bill, I think the Lords might actually delay things.

“I think there's a majority in the Lords for remaining."

There is still debate over whether the Government can trigger Article 50 without the approval of Parliament.

But Baroness Wheatcroft, who campaigned to remain in Europe, said she would back peers delaying the move.

She went on: “I would hope, while we delayed things, that there would be sufficient movement in the EU to justify putting it to the electorate, either through a general election or a second referendum."

Meanwhile, Lord Heseltine has said the country may need a general election in order for Parliament to approve Britain leaving the EU.

He said: "Every indication is that there is a 350 majority in the House of Commons in favour of remaining in Europe.

“The only realistic prospect of persuading the House of Commons to pass amending legislation would be after a general election or another referendum.”