People who stay home next week instead of voting “risk helping to elect MPs who will take Northern Ireland in the wrong direction”, the DUP leader has said.

Gavin Robinson was speaking at the launch of the party’s manifesto for the UK general election on 4 July.

It includes pledges to continue pressing for better financial support for Northern Ireland and promoting the union.

The party is fielding 16 general election candidates.

It chose to stand aside in North Down and Fermanagh and South Tyrone to give other unionist candidates a stronger chance of winning the seat.

It is Mr Robinson’s first election as leader, having replaced Sir Jeffrey Donaldson when he resigned after being charged with historical sex offences in March.

Sir Jeffrey has said he is contesting the allegations.

Mr Robinson has been an MP since 2015 and is running to retain his seat in east Belfast, as well as leading the DUP’s election campaign.

Asked on Monday if he was concerned about whether the DUP’s vote could fall, Mr Robinson said people were “capable of recognising” who the DUP are and what they stand for as a party.

“If people look and wish to have a strong pro-union team, they are voting DUP.”

He added: “By sitting at home or voting for smaller parties you know can’t win, you risk helping to elect MPs who will take us in the wrong direction and who don’t believe in Northern Ireland.

“The choice will determine who will go to Parliament and whether they will be unashamedly making the case for Northern Ireland… or will they be representatives who won’t go or who will spend their time talking Northern Ireland down?”

He added that more DUP MPs meant more influence with officials and government ministers in Westminster.

“Some people can only see problems, but we stand on our record of getting things done and never giving up.

“Over the last five years we have made progress, but with your support we can do more.”