Boris Johnson can begin to win back trust from Northern Irish communities by building a bridge to Scotland to show he is a sincere advocate for Unionism, the DUP's Sammy Wilson has said.

Mr Wilson warned that Mr Johnson risks overseeing the breakup of the United Kingdom unless he dispels the notion that the UK is run "by remote control by southern English men and women."

Strong results for the SNP in Scotland and nationalists parties in Northern Ireland on Thursday night have driven speculation that the Prime Minister will come under intense pressure to allow independence referendums in both regions.

"I think one of the big themes of this parliament will be how you protect the union of the United Kingdom and I think Boris cannot ignore the threat to the Union that comes not just from Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland but also from Scotland," Mr Wilson told The Telegraph.

"He has got to take more seriously the role he has as Prime Minister in selling the advantages of the Union, taking steps to strengthen the Union and ensure that there is growth not just in the north of England but in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales," he added.