Theresa Maywill challenge Parliament to defy the will of the people by voting down Article 50 if the Government loses an appeal in the Supreme Court, senior sources have said.

Ministers have told the Telegraph that the “expectation” among Cabinet ministers is that the Government will not succeed in its bid to overturn a High Court ruling that said the Prime Minister must consult Parliament before triggering Article 50, which begins formal Brexit negotiations.

In anticipation of a defeat in the Supreme Court, No 10 is preparing legislation and allies of Mrs May are now “confident” that MPs “would not dare” vote down the legislation.