Downing Street has demanded the House of Lords respect the decision of voters in the EU referendum and “get behind Brexit” - following reports some peers were plotting to derail or delay the process of triggering Article 50.

Baroness Wheatcroft, a Conservative peer, said she hoped a pause in introducing Article 50, the formal legal process of exiting the EU, could lead to a second referendum and potentially the public changing its mind.

She said it was “imperative we don’t press the button on Article 50”.

Theresa May says she has an 'open mind' over Brexit negotiations

But asked whether Theresa May had any concerns over the Lords’ plan, the Prime Minister’s official spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister has been very clear that Brexit means Brexit, we’re going to make a success of it and that work to prepare for those negotiations is now underway and that will continue to be a priority for this government.

“Parliament supported the referendum on the European Union. The British people have made their decision and now everyone should be focused on getting behind that and making a success of Brexit.”

Speaking to The Times, Baroness Wheatcroft, the former editor in chief of the Wall Street Journal Europe, was asked whether she would support peers delaying the legislation.

She said: “Yes I would. And 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.”

But, she added: "At the moment I don't think it's sensible for the Lords, an unelected second chamber, to obviously stand in the wayof a democratic vote. I'd like the Commons to do that.

“However, 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.”

Meanwhile, leading Leave campaigner and Labour MP Gisela Stuart admitted on Sunday evening that campaigners were surprised they had actually won the referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU.

“I think there was some surprise among some of the figures that we actually won, and won more decisively than we had hoped for,” she told BBC's Westminster Hour.

Brexit racism and the fightback Show all 9 1 /9 Brexit racism and the fightback Brexit racism and the fightback Demonstrators protest against an increase in post-ref racism at London's March for Europe in July 2016 PA Brexit racism and the fightback These cards were found near a school in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, the day after the EU referendum Twitter/@howgilb Brexit racism and the fightback LONDON, UK - JULY 16 : A speaker addresses the EDL members at Hyde Park. About a hundred members of The English Defence League (EDL) march on Park Lane for a rally in Hyde Park. The march on 16 July 2016 was heavily policed keeping the group away from the public. (Photo by David Mbiyu/Corbis via Getty Images) Getty Brexit racism and the fightback Romford, Essex, June 25 @diamondgeezer Brexit racism and the fightback A worker at this Romanian food shop was asleep upstairs at the time of this arson attack in Norwich on July 8, but escaped unharmed. Hundreds later participated in a ‘love bombing’ rally outside the shop to express their opposition to racism and their support of the shop owners. JustGiving/Helen Linehan Brexit racism and the fightback This neo-Nazi sticker was spotted in Glasgow on June 26 Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback But after news emerged of neo-Nazi stickers appearing in Glasgow, some in the city struck back with slogans of their own. Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback The Peoples Assembly Against Austerity, Black Live Matters and The Socialist Workers Party organised a march on Saturday July 16th in London, United Kingdom, against austerity, cuts and Racism. The groups also marched in solidarity against Tory government policies. (Photo by Gail Orenstein/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Getty Brexit racism and the fightback More signs began to appear in some parts of the UK, created by people who wanted to show their opposition to post-referendum racism Courtesy of Bernadette Russell

“I kind of stopped thinking about it because you just keep going and at the end of the day, hope your pile of votes is bigger than the other side's."

The prominent Leave campaigner also denied those involved in the campaign to exit the EU had failed to prepare for the future.

"In terms of accusations of 'What was the plan?', the plan was quite clear," she said.