Chrissie Hynde has waded into another contentious area – the overly sexualised nature of modern pop music

She provoked fierce debate by saying it was her own fault for being sexually assaulted at 21.

And now Chrissie Hynde has waded into another contentious area – the overly sexualised nature of modern pop music.

In an obvious reference to scantily-clad stars such as Miley Cyrus and Rihanna, the former Pretenders lead singer branded them ‘sex workers’ for selling music by ‘bumping and grinding’ in their underwear. The 64-year-old also accused them of doing ‘a great deal of damage’ to women with their risque performances.

Miss Hynde launched the scathing attack during a tense interview on BBC’s Woman’s Hour yesterday. She suggested that today’s provocatively-dressed stars are sending the wrong message about how people should view sex.

Miss Hynde added: ‘I don’t think sexual assault is a gender issue as such, I think it’s very much it’s all around us now.

‘It’s provoked by this pornography culture, it’s provoked by pop stars who call themselves feminists. Maybe they’re feminists on behalf of prostitutes – but they are no feminists on behalf of music, if they are selling their music by bumping and grinding and wearing their underwear in videos.

‘That’s a kind of feminism – but, you know, you’re a sex worker is what you are.

‘I think it’s provocative in a way that has nothing to do with music. I would say those women are responsible for a great deal of damage.’

The mother-of-two sparked a backlash when she said she took ‘full responsibility’ for being the victim of a sex attack by a biker gang in the US while high on the sedative Quaalude.

In an obvious reference to scantily-clad stars such as Miley Cyrus (left) and Rihanna (right), the former Pretenders lead singer branded them ‘sex workers’ for selling music by ‘bumping and grinding’ in their underwear

She said last week: ‘If I’m walking around in my underwear and I’m drunk? Who else’s fault can it be?’

Yesterday she refused to bow to her critics, saying: ‘If you are in a park and someone drags you in a bush and rapes you, clearly... you are a victim. If you’re provoking someone... you know you need to be very careful who you are provoking.

‘I was only talking about my own situation, saying I was being a bit reckless to be there, but I was too off my head to take responsibility.’