An Act of Parliament will have to pass through both houses before Article 50 can be triggered, unless the government can overturn the High Court ruling, according to Brexit Secretary David Davis.

That process would offer countless opportunities for pro-EU MPs and peers to table motions and amendments to delay the process far beyond the March 2017 timetable Theresa May announced last month.

Mr Davis said the result of the referendum "must be respected", adding: "Parliament voted by six to one to give the decision to the people, no ifs or buts, and that's why we are appealing this to get on with delivering the best deal for Britain - that's the best deal for growth, the best deal for investment, the best deal for jobs.

"The people want us to get on with it and that is what we are going to do."

The Cabinet minister said it was not entirely clear exactly what the judgment would mean but it looked as though a full Act of Parliament would be needed.

"The judges have laid out what we can't do and not exactly what we can do, but we are presuming it requires an Act of Parliament, therefore both Commons and Lords," he said.

Former attorney general Dominic Grieve told the BBC he believed there was time for the government to get legislation through Parliament before the end of March, should they lose the appeal.