MEPs seek parliament inquiry into Frontex

Aside from the Greens, Strik said the liberal Renew Europe and the far-left GUE political groups have already backed the idea.

But she first needs the support of at least 25 percent of the assembly's MEPs before making a request to the EU parliament's political leadership.

"I am trying to get support from S&D [socialists] because they are crucial, of course," she said on Wednesday (2 December).

"If they come back to me, 'look we agree', then I am going to try to formulate the mandate, the scope etc with those groups so in order to have their support," she added.

It is not immediately clear when such an inquiry could be launched.

Strik has first to clear the MEP threshold and ask the Conference of Presidents, composed of the political group leaders, for their support.

She mentioned the idea on Tuesday during a hearing with the Frontex's executive-director Fabrice Leggeri.

MEPs had grilled Leggeri over allegations that the EU agency was complicit in illegally forcing migrants and asylum seekers back into Turkey from Greece.

Leggeri denied all those charges, but the socialist group have since demanded his resignation.

Those allegations stem from late October media reports by German magazine Der Spiegel, as well as ARD, Bellingcat and others.

Frontex discussed the allegations at a board meeting on 10 November, called by EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson.

A second meeting was then held on 25 November as a follow up, with a third now scheduled.

But Strik says those meetings are held by Frontex's management board, which is composed of member states' border authority chiefs, and two European Commission officials.

"I don't have a lot of confidence in an outcome of that inquiry," warned Strik, noting independent legal experts were denied access.

"I really think we need to do a thorough investigation and come up with recommendations and one of the recommendations can be start from scratch with a new director," she said.