Brexiteer Tory peers warned Remain-backing MPs they risked the possibility of a violent uprising by voters if they “refused” to accept the result of the 2016 EU referendum.

Lord Lawson, the former chancellor, said there was a danger of a “very ugly situation” arising because “insurrectionary forces” could be left feeling “they cannot trust the British Parliament”.

The Tory grandee was one of many senior figures to take aim at the House of Commons for rushing through a draft law which would force Theresa May to request a Brexit delay.

The Bill, brought forward by Yvette Cooper and Sir Oliver Letwin, was agreed by MPs by just one vote on Wednesday evening and the legislation was presented to the House of Lords on Thursday.

Peers were under pressure to pass the Bill in one day like the Commons. They passed the second reading of the Bill on the nod on Thursday night. Its third reading is scheduled for Monday.

The architects of the Bill want it to become law by the start of next week but numerous peers appeared to try to delay its passage as they accused MPs of trying to “tear up the constitution” after seizing control of business in the Commons.