 An exception was the case of Whitehouse v Lemon where Mrs Mary Whitehouse, a self-appointed guardian of suburban morality, was permitted to bring a private prosecution for "blasphemous libel" against the publisher of "Gay News", Denis Lemon.Victims of crime have standing to sue the perpetrator and they may claim criminal injuries compensation from the state.If the state fails properly to bring a case, the victim or his family may have standing to bring a private prosecution, as in the case of Stephen Lawrence.