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The nurse who claimed she is forced to use foodbanks during the BBC Scotland election debate has been ridiculed after pictures emerged of her enjoying champagne in a five-star New York hotel.

Claire Austin, 50, posed with glasses of champagne and shared pictures of her lavish meals while on a luxury trip to the Big Apple over the New Year – despite telling Nicola Sturgeon she "can't manage" on her wages because the government are failing to fund the NHS.

Her Twitter profile also states hints that she is 'moderately rich' while it is believed her daughter attended a private school where the fees are more than £11,000 a year.

Addressing the First Minister last night, Austin said: "I'm a nurse. I can't manage on the salary I've got. I have to go to food banks.

"You say you've ploughed millions into the NHS but I can assure you nurses are seeing nothing on the ground floor.

"There are thousands and thousands of unfilled positions and the reason for that is it's so low paid. It's not a sustainable income.

"We can't live on it. We've had eight years and no pay rise and we're now having to strike. I'd rather leave nursing than have to strike because you have no idea how demoralising it is."

(Image: Claire Austin/Facebook)

It is believed that the nurse works for private healthcare firm BUPA and sent her daughter to George Heriot's School in Edinburgh.

Austin's biography on Twitter also reads: "They say it is better to be poor and happy than rich and miserable, but how about a compromise like, moderately rich just moody?"

Other Twitter posts show her at a plush Foodies Festival and asking Philip Schofield where he bought his Cotes Des Provence rose wine.

As social media was awash with posts of Austin's luxury lifestyle, she insisted on Twitter that she earned £22,345 and not the £30k salary she was accused of earning.

One user blasted her and claimed some people earning less than £10,000 are "turned away" from foodbanks.

But in a sarcastic post she hit back at critics, saying: "It is now a true representation of your life if you put your high days and holidays on social media even if pd 4 by friends & family." [sic]

She added: "I am truly saddened by what has been said about me tonight. I spoke on behalf of all NHS staff, not just myself, not myself, not just nurses but CSWs the backbone of many wards, HCAs again invaluable, but the porters too.

"I am not married. I was sat next to that guy on QT and did not get to ask my question. Therefore I was invited back to ask my question about pay rises.

"I am sad, although in this climate not surprised, at the verbal attack and abuse I have suffered from other nurses tonight. In my view are they are disgrace to our profession, and we wonder why so many want to leave."