Theresa May's first PMQs as it happened: New PM wins plaudits for strong debut against Jeremy Corbyn

May gives confident first PMQs session - but is accused of dodgy too many questions

Theresa May speaking during Prime Ministers Questions at the House of Commons in London (AFP/Getty Images)

Main headlines:

• Theresa May wins plaudits for strong first performance in PMQs
• New PM draws comparisons to Margaret Thatcher as she takes on Jeremy Corbyn
• May says she will spend summer 'bringing the country together'
• But she dodges question on Boris Johnson's dubious diplomacy track record
• Labour MP thanks May for taking on his own leader over Trident
• May had earlier warned Cabinet that 'politics is not a game'
• She will jet off later for her first talks as PM with Angela Merkel
• Downing Street says leaders will have 'frank' discussions about Brexit
• And May tells Commons Brexit will mean controlling European immigration
• PM has told Donald Tusk that UK will not take up next EU Council presidency
• PMQs comes as Jeremy Corbyn faces challenge to own leadership
• Labour leader has won bid to fight legal action to keep him off the ballot
• Rival Owen Smith forced to defend position on NHS privatisation

Theresa May took her first Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, clashing with Labour's Jeremy Corbyn who is himself facing a leadership challenge.

Ms May had never before taken to the despatch box for the weekly noon session in the Commons, with David Cameron previously deploying George Osborne as his deputy when required.

After the clashes in the Commons, Ms May was due to make her first overseas visit as Prime Minister to meet German chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, ahead of a trip to Paris on Thursday for talks with French president Francois Hollande.

Speaking before her departure for Berlin, the PM said she aimed to deliver a clear message to Ms Merkel and Mr Hollande that Britain wants to maintain - and even strengthen - its close relations with their countries even after it has quit the EU.

She said: "I am determined that Britain will make a success of leaving the European Union and that's why I have decided to visit Berlin and Paris so soon after taking office.

"These visits will be an opportunity to forge a strong working relationship that we can build upon and which I hope to develop with more leaders across the European Union in the weeks and months ahead.

"I do not under-estimate the challenge of negotiating our exit from the European Union and I firmly believe that being able to talk frankly and openly about the issues we face will be an important part of a successful negotiation."