LONDON • The British government is preparing legislation to trigger the procedure to leave the EU, Sky News reported yesterday, despite Prime Minister Theresa May saying she is confident of overturning a court decision that may delay Brexit.

Mrs May's plans to start the formal divorce procedure from the European Union by the end of March were dealt a blow last week when England's High Court ruled that her government must seek parliamentary approval for triggering Article 50.

The Prime Minister is determined to carry out what she calls "the will of the people" and her aides have declined to comment on whether ministers are making contingency plans after the ruling, saying only that they are confident of winning an appeal.

Sky News quoted sources as saying that the government was preparing a Bill - legislation that will have to be considered in both Houses of Parliament in what could be a lengthy process.

A spokesman for Mrs May did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Mrs May's focus on ensuring the government has the lead on breaking with the European Union has angered some lawmakers, prompting one of her ruling Conservative Party MPs to resign last week and deepening splits laid bare in the June EU referendum.

But while those who campaigned to stay in the European Union hope the court decision will soften the divorce terms for Britain, pro-Brexit campaigners and Britain's eurosceptic newspapers have attacked the judges for what they called a betrayal of the vote.

REUTERS