Brexit news latest: Tom Watson and Michael Gove praised for fiery summing up speeches ahead of no confidence vote

Tom Watson and Michael Gove have been praised for their fiery speeches in the Commons as they wound up the debate ahead of the no-confidence vote in the Government.

The Environment Secretary praised the Prime Minister's "inspirational leadership" in the House of Commons as he wound up the debate, and tore into Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Minutes before Theresa May survived the no-confidence vote, Mr Gove listed off the ways in which the government was protecting British security, and contrasted that with the Labour leader.

He said: "While we are standing up for national security, what about Mr Corbyn? He wants to leave Nato, he wants to get rid of our nuclear deterrent.

"And recently he said in a speech, why do countries boast about the size of their armies? That is quite wrong, why don't we emulate Costa Rica, that has no army at all?

"No allies, no deterrent, no army, no way can this country ever allow that man to be our Prime Minister."

He was speaking after Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson finished off the speeches from the opposing side, where he said Tory MPs "know in their hearts that this Prime Minister is not capable of getting a deal through".

Mr Gove hit out, saying Mr Watson had failed to mention Mr Corbyn once, adding: "We have several things in common - we've both lost weight, him much more so. We're both friends of Israel - him much more so."

And to loud cheers from the Tory benches, the Environment Secretary added: "And we both recognise that Mr Corbyn is about the worst possible person to lead the Labour Party – him more so."

Mr Watson had slammed the Prime Minister for having “no majority and no authority”, saying: “The UK is more divided and fearful for the future than ever before.”

Although he said he had no doubt that Theresa May had “tried her best and given it her all”, he added: “She has failed and I’m afraid the failure is hers and hers alone. If the Prime Minister really sat down and thought carefully about the implications of that defeat last night for the country, she would have resigned.

“432 to 202 – Mr Speaker that is not a mere flesh wound. The cruellest truth of all is that she doesn’t possess the necessary skills, the political skills, the empathy, the ability, and most crucially the policy to lead this country any longer.”

The passionate speeches came moments before Mrs May survived an attempt to oust her as Prime Minister, as MPs rejected Jeremy Corbyn’s motion of no confidence in the government by 325 to 306.

The Prime Minister's 19-vote victory came less than 24 hours after the crushing defeat of her EU Withdrawal Agreement in the House of Commons and clears the way for her to start cross-party talks on a Brexit Plan B

Conservative rebels and members of the Democratic Unionist Party who consigned the PM to the worst defeat in parliamentary history on Wednesday rallied behind her to see off the threat of a general election.

Welcoming the result, Mrs May told the Commons: "I am pleased that this House has expressed its confidence in the Government.

"I do not take this responsibility lightly and my Government will continue its work to increase our prosperity, guarantee our security and to strengthen our union.

"And yes, we will also continue to work to deliver on the solemn promise we made to the people of this country to deliver on the result of the referendum and leave the European Union."

Speaking to Sky News after the result, Tom Watson said that he was "trying to reflect the views of the country" in his closing speech.

"I think they think she has done her best but she has failed. I don't think she has the acumen to get us out of this mess," he said.

"I was more brutally honest than I normally would be. The clock is ticking on Brexit, we need to find a solution."