Mr Paisley asked: "When will BBC take on the paedophiles?"

THE DUP has remained silent on Ian Paisley's criticism of the BBC over a report on self-styled 'paedophile hunters'.

In response to the investigation, Mr Paisley claimed the public service broadcaster "ignores paedophiles".

But the North Antrim MP said he had "no comment" to make when asked whether he condones the actions of so-called paedophile hunter groups.

The DUP did not respond to The Irish News when asked to clarify if Mr Paisley is defending the online groups' actions, and whether the party agrees with his stance.

Mr Paisley was reacting on Twitter to a BBC News NI investigation into so-called paedophile hunters in Northern Ireland.

The groups pose online as children and contact suspected sexual predators before confronting them in person, often broadcasting the encounters live on Facebook, and contacting police.

Child protection experts have raised concerns over their conduct and lack of accountability, while some have branded them "vigilantes".

A senior PSNI officer told Sunday Life that officers are investigating links between some within online groups and loyalist paramilitaries.

Mr Paisley asked: "When will BBC take on the paedophiles?"

Last week BBC journalist Kevin Magee, who has been investigating the groups, was confronted in a Belfast coffee shop by over a dozen people who shouted aggressively at him and broadcast the encounter live online.

It came after Mr Magee had approached some people involved in paedophile hunter groups for an interview.

Police are examining the footage.

Responding to the BBC investigation broadcast yesterday, Mr Paisley tweeted: "Meanwhile BBC ignores paedophiles.

"Why does the BBC not go after paedophiles? I suppose they have special rights."

Mr Paisley later told the Belfast Telegraph: "I am just posing the question 'when are the BBC going to pursue the paedophiles rather the paedophile hunters?'"

On whether he condoned the actions of the online groups, he said: "I have no comment on that, I am just asking the question."

A BBC spokesman said: "We are satisfied that this investigation has dealt with important issues of public interest.

"We have investigated many cases of abusers which are also in the public interest and will continue to do so."

There are several self-styled paedophile hunter groups currently operating in the north.

More than 100 of their 'stings' have been reported to the PSNI. However, just three have been referred to prosecutors for consideration, and none have so far resulted in convictions.

Among those involved in the groups are Sharon Shanks and George Keenan from Belfast.

Ms Shanks, from the south of the city, is behind a group calling itself 'Justice Reborn Northern Ireland' and uses the alias Chelsea Lewis.

During one confrontation she posted online, Ms Shanks is overheard using explicit language and threats of violence against a man who came across the scene.

When approached by the BBC, she refused to answer questions, pulled a scarf over her face and was driven away at speed.

Mr Keenan (34) uses the alias James SJ O'Neill and was linked to a group calling itself 'Silent Justice'.

One of his targets last August was a man in Co Antrim who just days after being confronted took his own life.

When approached by the BBC, Mr Keenan said: "You are harassing people, I am not here to answer your questions. You are absolutely disgusting. Get out of my space right now."

Later the same day Mr Keenan led a group of people to confront the BBC's Mr Magee at a Belfast coffee shop.