Labour taking 'any opportunity' to block Brexit, says Gavin Williamson.

Gavin Williamson hit out at Jeremy Corbyn's party after the Government tasted defeat in the Commons at a key stage of the EU Withdrawal bill – but he insisted the setback would not derail the Brexit process.

The amendment, which was put forward by Conservative backbencher Dominic Grieve and carried through by Labour, as well as 10 other Tory rebels, means MPs are guaranteed a vote on the final deal the Government strikes with Brussels.

Defence Secretary Mr Williamson told the Express & Star: "I think we have seen the Labour leadership drift off into a position where they obviously want to frustrate the will of the people and try to stop Brexit.

"I don't think that is likely to change."

Labour has hit back at the claims, with Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden insisting MPs were right to right to fight for a vote on the final deal.

"For the first time Parliament has asserted it wants a meaningful say over this issue, rather than being told to shut up and do whatever this chaotic and weak Government says," said Mr McFadden, who sits on the cross-party Brexit Select Committee.

It came as Theresa May prepares to meet with EU leaders at a European Council meeting in Brussels this afternoon to formally agree to start the next stage of the Brexit negotiations.

Mr Williamson described the Government's 309-305 defeat in the vote as 'very disappointing' and said it was 'key' that nothing was allowed to stop the progress of delivering Brexit. But he played down the significance of the amendment.

"It is always very sad when people choose to vote against the Government, especially when a lot of people seem to be using it as a tactic to try and undermine the process of Brexit," he added.

"What we all want to do is focus on delivering it. I don't think this will have as big a bearing as some people think, as the Government had already committed to having a vote in the House of Commons.

"I think it was just really unnecessary. A lot of people voted for the amendment with a good heart, but I think there are a number of people on the Labour side that want to undermine the Brexit process and see anything as an opportunity to stop it as something they will support."

Meanwhile pro-Brexit MP Mike Wood, who represents Dudley South for the Conservatives, said MPs who backed the amendment were 'playing a dangerous game' with Britain's future and 'letting down' their constituents.

"I think it was a silly amendment that does little other than making it slightly more difficult to secure a good deal by bringing forward the deadline for when they need to finish the talks," he said.

"The Government has now got to find a way to get on with it and make it work.

"There are a lot of people who are tired of hearing MPs say: 'I respect the result of the referendum, but...'.

"You either respect it or you don't. If you respect it then we need to get this legislation through and make sure we get a good deal.

"People who are either playing at political points scoring or trying to delay, frustrate and undermine both the Brexit process and the negotiations, are playing a dangerous game with our country's future.

"They are badly letting down their constituents, many of whom voted to leave the EU."

Walsall North's Conservative MP Eddie Hughes said it was 'far from ideal' that Mrs May headed to Brussels on the back of a Commons defeat, but added: "In the long run, providing the other votes go well, this will be seen as a very small setback.

"There is no doubt that we need to show a united front as a party.

"I am confident that in the bigger picture we will move on and achieve a good deal. We have to remember that this is also what the EU wants. It is in the best interests of everyone."

Arch Eurosceptic Sir Bill Cash, the Tory MP for Stone said: "The wording of the amendment was meaningless. It was defective and has no practical purpose.

"All of those who voted for Article 50 and for the Repeal bill...quite frankly what they have done in this instance is against the principle of respecting the referendum result."

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the Prime Minister had 'walked into' the defeat by refusing to listen to MPs and 'pushing Parliament to one side' over the issue.

He said the result was 'hugely significant' and added: "If take back control meant anything, it is what happened [in the vote]."